top of page

Background

 In 2023, Reflecting Disability: Representation of disabled people in UK children’s books was initiated, with support from Arts Council England.  
 
This page outlines how the project was first set up and how it was researched, developed and tested.

Initial development:

  • ​ In September 2023, the Reflecting Disability project was announced at the Children’s Bookseller Conference. 

  • The project was disabled-led from the outset, with a Steering Group of disabled people leading the development of the framework, and facilitated by project administrators who are also neurodivergent and/or disabled.

  • The Steering Group comprised authors, illustrators and experts including Cerrie Burnell, Lisette Auton and Tommy Jessop.  

  • A Publisher Advisory Group and a Wider Advisory Network were also established to provide further expertise and feedback.

  • As part of the development of the new project, the Reflecting Disability team also worked closely with the Reflecting Realities project, led by CLPE, to learn from their methods and extensive experience, and to ensure that the two projects run effectively alongside each other.

  • The goal was to develop a framework for analysing children’s books for 3 to 11 year olds, and to collect both ‘formal’ data and also qualitative material.  

  • Using this framework would enable a subsequent survey and report to be produced, to provide vital information on who is represented in the books, the prominence of characters and how they are represented.

  • The Steering Group developed the draft framework and submissions form with input from the Publisher Advisory Group and Wider Advisory Network.

“This is an urgent and necessary project. I’m thrilled it’s getting its moment to shine, Setting a standard for truly authentic deaf, disabled and neuro -divergent representation in children’s publishing. As it is my firm belief that every child deserves to have their lives represented by the power and beauty of story.”
Cerrie Burnell, author, steering group member

Categorisation

  •  In developing the framework, the Steering Group researched and agreed category labels to describe d/Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent characters (including those with chronic health conditions, mental health conditions and visible difference) in the books that will be reviewed. We know that these labels can not reflect all the identities, cultures and differences within disabled communities. 

  • Although we support the Social Model of disability, some of the labels used for categorisation are medical. Some medical language is necessary for research purposes but we would not usually expect to see it in children's books.

  • The category labels will enable reliable and consistent reviews to assess the representation of disabled people in children's books. They will also allow for comparison with government statistics, to show whether they reflect the UK population. Read the full statement on categorisation. 

  • This information will support publishers, editors, writers and illustrators to create books with a better balance of characters which reflects the real world.

  • Detailed and clear reports will increase and improve disability representation in books over time by showing book creators who is represented and who is still missing in the children’s book landscape, with great benefits to all the children reading them.

“This project is so important for the future of the wider world to ensure that disability is alway visible. It will not only enrich our lives but also create a more compassionate, and innovative world for everyone.”
Jacqueline Stephens, steering group

Testing the Framework

  • The framework has undergone rigorous testing. Each round of testing highlighted areas that could be further strengthened, enabling the framework to be gradually refined.

  • Testing the framework has also been invaluable to indicate any potential challenges for reviewers.

  • A book submission form was also developed, and this was then tested by the Publisher Advisory Group.

Working with publishers

  • Children’s book publishers are invited to submit all eligible books published in the relevant year.  

  • For more on how to submit books, please see the Submissions page.

  • Reflecting Disability uses the current list from the Children’s Writers and Artists Yearbook database to reach out to publishers, and we also cross-check this list with our contacts.

  • As part of the registration process, publishers are asked for the key contact person for the Reflecting Disability study. 

  • They are asked whether they are submitting as a house or imprint, and they are also asked for some key figures regarding the number of books they have published over in the year of the study. This includes the estimated number of books they expect to submit for the study.

  • This gives us accurate figures about the publishing within this age range and book format, and an estimate of roughly how many books to expect enables us to plan ahead for the review process.

  • Publishers are supplied with eligibility criteria to ensure they can identify all books that are relevant to the survey. They are then asked to complete a submission form for every relevant book and are advised that this should be completed by a member of the team who knows the book well.

  • Publishers have a full month in which to register. The Reflecting Disability team follow up on the initial invitation to register with a reminder to ensure we hear back from all publishers.

  • Publishers have two months in which to make their submissions. The Reflecting Disability team follow up the initial invitation to publishers to submit titles with further correspondence to ensure we hear back from all publishers.

“The development process and consultations across the advisory teams and the steering group, with the aim to get the most meaningful data, have been rigorous in their approach and insight. That process alone has proven the need for us to be having more open and nuanced discussions, and for the voices of marginalised contributors to be heard more often in our industry, as well as for all children to get the representation they deserve, and for their books to better reflect the world around them.”
Shannon Cullen, Publishing Director, Walker Books

Recruiting and training review team

  • Reflecting Disability works with the Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies at Oxford Brookes University to review the books.

  • BA and MA publishing students are first invited to be part of an initial seminar on disability, accessibility, and representation in children's books.

  • Following this, students are invited to apply for a paid internship opportunity as part of the review team.

  • Successful applicants receive further training on representation and how to use the framework. Sample texts are used to share examples of how the framework can be applied and how to ensure consistency in qualitative representation.

  • Throughout the review process, trained review managers support the reviewers, answer questions, and spot check the reviews. Regular co-working sessions for the reviewers mean that they can ask questions as they arise.

2024-25 is the first year in which a Reflecting Disability survey will be carried out. In future years the process can be improved and enhanced if required. 

bottom of page