A rustic wooden desk with an open blank notebook and a pen resting on its pages. A pair of eyeglasses and stacked books lie nearby, while the edge of a wheelchair is visible in the foreground, symbolizing the presence yet absence of disabled writers.

The Missing Voices of Disabled Writers in Indian Literature

Indian literature is celebrated for its diversity of voices, yet one group remains strikingly absent—disabled writers. While disability often appears in novels and films, it is usually reduced to stereotypes of pity or inspiration. What we rarely encounter are authentic stories told by disabled authors themselves. Their absence is not due to lack of talent but because of systemic barriers—education gaps, publishing gatekeeping, and societal stigma. Until we create space for these voices, Indian literature remains incomplete. True inclusivity will come only when disabled writers are not on the margins but at the heart of our literary landscape.
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Class 7, Chapter 4: How Not to Be Ableist

Ableism isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it whispers behind your back at family gatherings, smiles with pity, or applauds your existence like it’s an achievement. As a disabled woman in India, I’ve lived through more unsolicited blessings and backhanded compliments than I care to count. This post calls out the everyday ableism we sweep under the rug—with sarcasm, sharp truths, and a reminder that I’m disabled, not doomed.
Minimalist illustration of a black wheelchair on a beige background with a Hindi quote below that reads: 'सम्मान शब्दों से नहीं, दृष्टिकोण से आता है।' (Respect comes not from words, but from perspective.)

क्या ‘स्पेशल’ कहना सच में विकलांगता को सम्मान देता है?

भाषा का जादू या जाल? जब किसी को 'स्पेशल' कहा जाता है, तो यह सुनने में मधुर लगता है। लेकिन क्या यह वास्तव में सम्मानजनक है? या फिर यह शब्द…