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Hello everyone,
Whenever people ask me what they could do to understand disabled people better, also from a professional perspective, I send them a list of books from my favourites list. I thought summertime is a good time to read, and I want to share part of this list with you too. The following books have shaped me and are still a great place to start reading or keep reading. For this post, I’ll only share books available in English, even though there are great German books I’ve read too.
1. Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist by Judith Heumann
One of the most influential disability rights activists in US history tells her personal story of fighting for the right to receive an education, have a job, and just be human. A brilliant reminder that disability rights were not given to us; they were fought for by disabled people. It’s also a great testament to how important alliances are.
2. Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement by Ashley Shew
A manifesto exploding what we think we know about disability, and arguing that disabled people are the real experts when it comes to technology and disability. A very much needed book against vanity projects and the pressure to “improve” disabled people. It should be a must-read for everyone who works in tech, innovation, and accessibility.
3. Scapegoat - Why We are failing disabled people by Katharine Quarmby
Katharine Quarmby looks behind the headlines to trace the history of disability and how society treats disabled people - from the Industrial Revolution and the origins of Britain's asylum system to the eugenics movement and the Holocaust, the introduction of Ugly Laws in the US and the unintended consequences of Britain's poorly planned community care system. She describes the modern disability rights movement from the veterans of WW2 and Vietnam in the US and UK to those who have fought for independent living and the end of segregation, as well as equal rights, over the last few decades.
4. Crippled - Austerity and the demonisation of disabled people by Frances Ryan
In austerity Britain, disabled people have been recast as worthless scroungers. From social care to the benefits system, politicians and the media alike have made the case that Britain’s 12 million disabled people are nothing but a drain on the public purse. Frances Ryan exposes the disturbing reality, telling the stories of those most affected by this devastating regime. Unfortunately still a very timely book.
5. My Life in My Hands by Alison Lapper
Maybe the first English disability-related book I have ever read, and it had a huge influence on me in my 20s. It’s the autobiography of the artist Alison Lapper, who was born with no arms and short legs and grew up in British institutions.
6. Untypical - How the World Isn’t Built for Autistic People and What We Should All Do About it by Pete Wharmby
The modern world is built for neurotypicals. It can be a nightmarish dystopia for autistic people. Pete Wharmby explains with wit and warmth how exhausting it is to fit into a world not designed for you.
I wish you all a great rest of August!
Christiane
Some interesting links
Disabled bus pass holders to get free travel at all times, UK government announces. What London and Manchester have already will now come to the rest of England too. Wise decision!
From being abused by staff and other travellers to being denied access to toilets, flying is an increasingly distressing and frustrating experience for many wheelchair users. Here, they share their stories.
Something to watch
No, this has nothing to do with transport but a lot with disability, neurodivergence and mental health. It plays during a heatwave in Wales and is by far the best series I have watched in 2026. If you can access the BBC iPlayer or if it is available in your country, highly recommended!
Bits, Bobs & Jobs
Sixty is searching for a Disability, Accessibility and Passenger Support Trainer for the railway sector.
Jamie Hale about Disability, Heatwaves and Disasters and how the current heatwave in the UK affects disabled people.
No, I Will Not Wear A Sunflower Lanyard by Laurie Penny
Some final words
The Accessible Link is a reader-supported publication.
Who is writing this newsletter?
I’m Christiane Link, and I improve the customer experience in aviation, transport, and travel. I worked as a journalist for over two decades and travelled extensively for business and leisure. I’m a wheelchair user.
Work with me
Whether you're a Customer Service Director, a Head of Customer Experience, a corporate Accessibility Manager, a DEI leader, a transport planner, or a member of a disabled employee resource group, I can help you make your organisation more inclusive. You can book me for speaking engagements or hire me as a consultant for your accessibility or DEI strategy, communications advice and other related matters. I have worked for airlines, airports, train operators, public transport providers, and companies in other sectors.
If you want to read more from me, follow me on LinkedIn, Twitter, Bluesky or Mastodon. You can also reply to this email if you want to contact me.
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Thanks for including a book on Autism!