~ Addressing Discrimination Based on Ability, Age, and Gender ~

There is no place for ableism, ageism, or gender bias in a democratic society. In a just and caring society, there is a striving to provide the weakest and most vulnerable members with the protection and the tools they need to survive and function.

Most people will agree that treating people who are sick or injured as having fewer rights and privileges than a healthy person is cruel and unfair. After all, every one of us can fall ill or have an accident.

But what if that illness is permanent or the person born with it? What person can stop ageing or deny their own gender?

Discrimination against someone because of a disability or the mental condition or intellectual ability they were born is unjust. These people need compassion, they need respect, they need to be empowered and most of all they need equity.

Equity is not equality. Equality means that each individual is given the same things. It assumes that everyone starts out in the same place and has the same needs. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. 

The following books and activities look at these very serious issues in ways that are understandable to even our youngest children.

Ableism

4 Books for International Down Syndrome Day Discussing Down Syndrome with young children doesn’t have to be difficult. Start by laying a frame work of valuing differences and fostering empathy for all people.

Words of Love and Peace One of the Little People Speaks

Ageism

Books about Giving Reviews of Now One Foot, Now the Other by Tommie de Paola  and Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox

Can Bullying Ever be Eliminated? Addressing systemic bullying on the job job.

Gender Discrimination

Books for Little Princesses Reviews of books that challenge stereotypical behaviors and empower girls.

 5 Young Adult Novels with Diverse Protagonists   books that provide role models for LBGTQIAP+ students?

Books for Pride Month Books and stories can be a powerful way to step into each others’ shoes and develop empathy and fight bullying.  Here is a list of books of powerful and positive LGBT books.

Books for International Women’s Day Books that celebrate women and women’s issues for all ages.