In the Picture: children's views

Watch the video "Scope - In the Picture" on YouTube

Here are some of the comments In The Picture has received from children giving an idea of their feelings and ideas around the inclusion of disabled children in books.

"When I see disabled children in books I say [punching the air] yes we're in there!" Read Celine's story

"I'm deaf and when I was younger it would have been better for me to see pictures of deaf people and children so I could understand more about it. I didn't see any disability in books and I think it's a shame." Deaf teenager

"It would have made me feel really included if there were books like these on my bookshelf when I was little." Joe

"I think by having disabled characters in books it would increase awareness of children and disabilities would be introduced through reading especially at an early age. I would like to see it helping children not to stare at disabled people and to have more consideration for disabled people in the community for example opening doors for them. I am not put off by books without disabled characters however when I do read books with disabled characters in I feel pleased. One of my favourite books is called "Sleepovers" by Jacqueline Wilson who is my favourite author. I like it because one of the characters is disabled and its interesting to hear the things that are said about her." Lauren

"I have thought about having hearing children and deaf children in the picture. I thought that they would have rights to also be in the books as heroes. The reason that hearing people will be in books is to help disabled people." Ola

"I think it is good having disabled children in story books, because if there were no disabled children in story books it would not be fair on disabled children to not be in books. People who can walk are very lucky. It would be very sad if all the disabled children in the world were extinct. So we want disabled children and children who can walk to be equal and both be in story books." Rohnak [a wheelchair user]

"I think that disabled people should definitely be in books because I think that everyone should be equal. Its not anyone's fault that they are disabled so why should they be ignored when it comes to writing books? Some writers write about disabled people but I think there should be more." Ellie

"Disabled people should be in stories." Ryan

"I believe that everyone is the same even if they are deaf or blind or if they have a disability they are all the same." Mairi

"Disabled children should have the right of being in books. They are like us." Anna