Caption Pros’ Top Picks: Books & Podcasts on Accessibility and Advocacy
Here are some of our favorite works created by authors with disabilities. These powerful perspectives and stories broaden the narrative around what it means to live with a disability and challenge commonly held views within our ableist society. Whether you’re looking for stories that reflect your own experiences or seeking to better understand the experience of individuals with diverse abilities, these resources are empowering, insightful, and can inspire change. Choose one and dedicate time to learning how you can be a part of making your world more inclusive.
Recommendation #1
A Guide to Creating Accessibility in the Workplace, created by Caption Pros, was designed to help businesses navigate the implementation and fostering of an inclusive workspace for everyone. Building an accessible workplace is important to your company’s success in more ways than one. Accessibility fosters better engagement, collaboration, and increases employee retention. Our eBook explores the importance of inclusion, key statistics, best practices for recruiting, and on-the-job protocols that benefit all employees.
Download your free eBook here.
Recommendation #2
In Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, editor Alice Wong compiles a collection of essays written by people with unique abilities from various backgrounds. Her anthology is divided into four sections: Being, Becoming, Doing, and Connecting. Each section highlights the talents and lived experiences of the disability community, providing its audience with a deeper understanding. Alice Wong is an accomplished disability activist living in San Francisco, California. She is the founder of the Disability Visibility Project, host and producer of the Disability Visibility podcast, and former member of the National Council on Disability.
Learn more about Wong’s work and find more empowering resources and stories here.
Recommendation #3
In Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, Judith Heumann shares her story of fighting for disability rights throughout her life and her passion for a world where everyone belongs. She was considered the “Mother” of the disability rights movement. She has dedicated her life to activism, advocating for disability rights legislation and advising various industries. Her story was featured in the documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution.
Find Being Heumann here.
Recommendation #5
The podcast Disability Matters by Joyce Bender centers on the advancement and support of individuals with disabilities. She highlights influential figures such as Congressman Tony Coelho, Governor Dick Thornburgh, and other senior executives from various industries. Additionally, the podcast incorporates real-time captioning for an accessible listening experience. Joyce Bender is the CEO of Bender Consulting Services and a global leader in disability employment. She continues to empower and advocate through multiple roles, including founding her nonprofit, Bender Leadership Academy, speaking nationwide, and serving on the boards of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the Epilepsy Association of Western/Central Pennsylvania.
Listen here.
Recommendation #6
In her memoir, Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law, Haben Girma provides insights into her childhood and the non-visual techniques she utilizes to learn. She developed a text-to-braille communication system and used her many talents to overcome challenges. She graduated from an Ivy League university, and advocates for others experiencing disabilities. Haben Girma now works as a human rights lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Helen Keller Achievement Award, Forbes 30 Under 30 List, and TIME100 Talks. Her memoir has been described as thoughtful, heartwarming, and rich in powerful insights and inspiring reflections on accessibility and inclusion.
Find Haben’s book here.
Accessibility with Caption Pros
Our mission is to break down barriers to communication and ensure inclusivity for everyone. Visit Caption Pros to learn more about our award-winning captioners and captioning services. We offer creative solutions to make workplaces, schools, events, and online content accessible to all.