First Reflecting Disability study shows that 10% of children's books include representation of disabled characters

• 10% of the children’s picture books, fiction and non-fiction published in a full year (2024) featured disabled characters

• 3.6% of the books published included at least one disabled person as a core character

• While the numbers are encouraging, the study also highlights that many representations of disabled people and the equipment they use lacked accuracy and authenticity

• Reflecting Disability will launch a toolkit providing in-depth analysis of the data and practical guidance to support publishers and creators in improving disabled representation

With 90% of children’s books not yet featuring disabled people in any way, the findings highlight valuable opportunities for publishers and creators to build on the promising initial picture. The study also found that books rarely reflected the specific conditions, impairments and differences that children most commonly experience (social/behavioural, learning and mental health). Books depicted characters with mobility conditions (for example, wheelchair users), deaf characters and those with vision impairments more often but usually placed them in the background. Many representations of disabled people and the equipment they use also lacked accuracy and/or consistency.

Reflecting Disability will launch a toolkit later this year which will provide in-depth analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data and, most importantly, practical guidance to support publishers and creators.

Read the full announcement on the Findings page.

Read the article in The Bookseller: On Reflection: The time has come to deepen disability representation in children's books.