| Literature can and does play a role in the social development of children by encouraging them to become sensitive to the feelings of others and encouraging positive attitudes toward individuals with disabilities. Sensitive, positive attitudes toward people with disabilities can be developed vicariously through well-chosen children's books. With the mainstreaming of children with disabilities into the regular classroom and an increased awareness of the importance of recognizing the diversity among us, there is a need for books which foster understanding of people with disabilities and emphasize each character as a unique individual.; This study analyzed the portrayal of main or important characters with disabilities in contemporary realistic fiction for children to determine what messages or attitudes are being transmitted and whether the characterizations encourage understanding or reinforce stereotypes regarding people with disabilities. Utilizing a content analysis methodology, the investigator analyzed those contemporary realistic fiction books recommended for children, ages 6–12, in standard selection tools between 1995 and 2001. The sample population consisted of eighty portrayals in seventy-two books.; The books in this study were found to present and reinforce prejudicial and stereotypical images of characters with disabilities nearly as frequently as they encourage understanding by accurately and respectfully portraying well-adjusted, productive individuals, who happen to have a disability. The stereotype most frequently presented, and thus reinforced, is that of the dependent, burdensome, and non-participating individual. Although many books present positive and non-discriminatory language, nearly as many present other characters using negative and dehumanizing jargon, slang, and labels, as well as outdated and less respectful terminology, to refer to individuals with disabilities. Librarians and teachers need to become aware of handicapist language, stereotypes, and prejudices that exist in books, so that they might better evaluate and select those books which promote understanding and appreciation of diversity. |
