The Jane Addams Peace Association Celebrates the Disabled Community
Even while Jane Addams dedicated so much of her life to helping others, she suffered from a congenital spinal defect from a childhood case of tuberculosis that left her with a limp and a lifetime of health problems. While Jane’s disability was physical, the Jane Addams Peace Association wants to acknowledge those who have invisible disabilities that aren’t receiving the care they need, as well as our support for the disabled community at large. Take time this disability pride month (and in the future) to reflect on what you can do to support your access needs or those of your community.
Jane Addams Awarded Books With Disabled Characters
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Vera Hiranandani
In 1976, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional. Ariel Goldberg is only 12 and witnesses the historical implications of this when her sister elopes with someone her parents don’t approve of following the ruling. Ariel is bullied at school for her dysgraphia and for being Jewish, and turns to poetry to address the racism and antisemitism from people close to her.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Life is difficult for Omar and his younger brother. They live in a refugee camp in Kenya with little access to food and medical care. One day, Omar gets the chance to go to school and he knows that this might be the chance he needs to change the future for him and his brother, who is nonverbal. However, going to school would mean leaving his brother and the only life he’s known.
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Mary Lambert lives on the island of Martha’s Vineyard and feels safe within her community of many deaf people, including her. Most of the people surrounding her can communicate in sign language, which is comforting to Mary, but everything changes when her brother dies, there are land disputes between the English settlers and the Wampanoag people, and a young scientist arrives and uses Mary as a specimen for his cruel experiments on deafness.
Community Resource
This organization’s mission is to “increase the employment of people with disabilities until it is equal to those without disabilities.” Their programs provide information for those with disabilities who are seeking jobs and provides training services for employers to accommodate those with disabilities.
Community Highlight
104 Elm St | Cheshire, CT 06410
ReRead Books & More is a bookstore located in Cheshire, Connecticut that provides specialized job training for young adults with disabilities. These employees are able to gain experience selling books, baking dog treats, helping out with community-wide events, online sales, and brewing coffee. They aim to raise “awareness and acceptance of individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities.” They are also looking for donations of new and gently used books to add to their collection.
“Books in Their Hands” Goes to Ravenel, South Carolina
Last month, the Jane Addams Peace Association visited Ravenel, South Carolina, for our “Books in Their Hands” program with Angela Joy, co-author of the 2024 Jane Addams Award Book Award Finalist, A Hero Like Me. This book celebrates empowerment and activism. We would like to sincerely thank everyone for their participation and support for this visit. If you are part of a Title 1/low-income school, you are eligible to apply for the “Books in Their Hands” program. Through our “Books in Their Hands program,” we bring authors and illustrators to low-income schools nationally to share their Jane Addams award-winning books, and to speak directly with the students and teachers in the community. As a part of our “Books in Their Hands” program, we also donate Jane Addams Children’s Book Award commended titles to each student in your classroom.
Support Our Work!
The Jane Addams Peace Association perpetuates the spirit of activist and pacifist Jane Addams, her love for children and humanity, her commitment to freedom and democracy, and her devotion to the cause of world peace.Your donation to the Jane Addams Peace Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, is tax-deductible and helps us support authors, illustrators, parents, teachers, and librarians deepen understanding of peace and justice for children and their adults through reflection, dialogue, and social action.