Representation of Disabled People in UK Children's Books
How it Works
'Reflecting Disability: Representation of disabled people in UK children’s books' was set up in 2023 with support from Arts Council England.
Read on for details of the process and visit the Background page to read how the Reflecting Disability methods and processes were researched, developed and tested.
How the review process works
Step 1 – Registration
We contacted UK publishers and invited them to register to submit books.
We asked them to share the number of relevant books they published in the year of the study. This included the total number of books with humans as main cast characters, the total number of books published with animals as main cast characters and the total number of books published with inanimate objects as main cast characters. We also ask them approximately how many books they expected to submit for the study to help us prepare for the review process.
Step 2 – Submission
Publishers filled in either an online submission form for each book or a bulk submission spreadsheet, supplying the key details, format, eligibility, fiction and non-fiction categories. They also indicated the type of representation depicted (you can read more about how these categories were researched and created on the Background page, and find the list of categories and a statement from the Steering Group on the Eligibility page). Publishers were also able to indicate whether a book had any accessible features or formats available.
We asked publishers to share a form with the creators of the books that they submited. This allowed the creators the opportunity to share any information relevant to the representation. Read more about this on the Submissions page.
Following the form submissions, publishers were asked to send both physical and digital copies of each title for review. We discussed alternative solutions with publishers where submitting hard copies was a barrier. Registered publishers were sent a physical and upload address to supply copies of each submitted title.
Book submissions were open between 1 December 2024 and 31 January 2025
Step 3 – Follow up
After submissions officially closed, we followed up with both registered and unregistered publishers to make sure that all eligible books had been submitted.
Step 4 – Recruit and train reviewers
BA and MA Publishing students from Oxford Brookes University (Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies), as well as Bath Spa University and Derby University formed the Reflecting Disability review team. They received full training as part of a paid internship. Read more about this process on the Background page.
As soon as the Reflecting Disability research project was announced I asked how we could help. It is such a fantastic opportunity for Brookes Publishing students and graduates to be involved in this research project. The findings of this important research and the Reflecting Disability Archive will continue to inform the next generation of publishing professionals.
Helena Markou, Senior Lecturer in Publishing at Oxford Brookes University
Step 5 – Review
Throughout the review process, trained review managers supported the reviewers, answered questions, and spot-checked the reviews. There were regular co-working sessions for the reviewers so that they could ask questions as they arose.
For each book, reviewers looked at the type and format of book, the type of representation, the prominence of the disabled character(s), other facets of diversity, the context and the quality of representation across main, group and background casts.
Step 6 – Analyse
Step 7 – Discuss
We shared the findings and analysis with the Steering Group for their input and critique.
We shared the analysis with the review team so that they could contribute and question based on the titles they reviewed.
Step 8 – Announce
The key findings and insights were announced in an exclusive with The Bookseller on Friday 11 September 2026.
Step 9 – Guidance
A practical resource for publishers, authors, illustrators, and other book creators, offering clear guidance and actionable recommendations is produced.
Illustration by Martina Stuhlberger
(In My Skin, Lantana Publishing 2023)