Disability Sensitivity Reading
Drawing from a lifetime of lived experience and a deep well of knowledge, I’m here to support you in writing about disability with nuance and confidence.
Disability sensitivity reading is a focused review of your work through a disability lens.
I work across all forms of media, including journalism, literature, film, and television. For works of fiction, I’ll read your draft with careful attention to portrayals of disabled characters and disability-related storylines. And for nonfiction, I’ll concentrate on how you communicate about disability-related concepts and ideas.
I’ll flag anything that could be harmful or inaccurate will be flagged and offer concrete suggestions for changes.
It’s a collaborative process, grounded in a shared commitment to getting representation right.
Disability Perspectives and Experiences
From travel and culture articles, to nonfiction about disability, to a thriller by a New York Times bestselling author, I’ve had the privilege of supporting a wide range of writers across genres as a disability sensitivity reader. It’s truly some of the most rewarding work I get to do.
Keep in mind: I’m a white, straight, cisgender Jewish woman with an apparent genetic physical disability that I’ve had since birth. I use both a manual wheelchair and a power wheelchair, am hard of hearing, and live with both mental health and chronic health conditions.
These are the identities and experiences I can speak to authentically. While I have a strong background in disability cultural criticism and media analysis, I cannot and will not speak for the entire disability community. If your work centers experiences that fall outside my own and I’m not equipped to work with you, I promise I’ll tell you that honestly so you can find the right sensitivity reader.
The Disability Sensitivity Reading Process
- We connect for an initial chat.
We’ll start with a call or Zoom at your convenience so I can learn where you are in your writing process and we can determine whether it’s the right fit for us to work together. - I review your work.
I’ll complete the sensitivity read on a timeline we agree on in advance. While a tight turnaround may be possible for a shorter piece, I like to ensure I have enough time to read thoroughly and carefully. - You get my honest feedback.
You’ll get comments from me directly in your draft (either in Google Docs or Microsoft Word), plus a letter summarizing my key observations and recommendations. - We connect for a debrief.
We can do a round of follow-up via email or a call to answer your questions and make sure you feel set up to move forward.
Gentle Reminders
Sensitivity reading has a specific purpose, so I want to be sure to set clear expectations:
- I’m not here to do your background research, but I am here to help you apply your research with care. And of course, I’ll do whatever research needed on my end to provide the most useful possible feedback.
- Sensitivity reading doesn’t involve providing line edits or structural edits (though I provide editorial services, too!)
- My feedback is a guide, not a guarantee. Think of me as a thoughtful collaborator, rather than a final authority. Sensitivity reading is one valuable part of the writing process, and the care you bring to your work shouldn’t stop there.
- Writing about disability thoughtfully is an ongoing learning process. My goal is to support you through that process, not to judge you for where you’re starting from.
Rates
Every project is different, and I believe rates should reflect the actual scope of the work. Reach out and tell me what you’re working on, and we’ll take it from there. Looking for editorial services in addition to sensitivity reading? I’ve got you covered!
If we decide to work together after an initial call, I’ll send you a simple one-page agreement before we begin and invoice in full once we’ve wrapped up.
Ready to get started?
Let’s talk about your project, your process, and whether we’re the right fit to work togther. I can’t wait to learn more!
Here’s more about what the process is like:
“Emily understands how to communicate complex ideas about disability with clarity and emotional resonance. She not only helped strengthen my writing, but also deepened my understanding of how to meaningfully represent the disability experience. As a nondisabled person writing for parents and caregivers of disabled children, this was essential for my book, and has also informed my parenting and advocacy. She delivered feedback in a way that was clear, constructive, and actionable, and challenged me to really think about what I wanted to say in addition to how to say it. One of her most impactful notes was looking at a paragraph and saying, ‘Here’s what I believe you’re trying to say…and here’s how it’s coming across…’ She was the honest expert I needed.”
– Kelley Coleman, author of Everything No One Tells You About Parenting a Disabled Child
“Writing about someone whose lived experience you do not share demands not only respect and empathy, but also research. I reached out to Emily for her help in portraying my character with a disability in the most loving and respectful possible way. With kindness, intelligence, and deep sensitivity, Emily offered invaluable support. Emily’s book, Demystifying Disability, was illuminating; our Zoom meeting was fun and informative. And her thoughtful, creative comments on my manuscript helped me to find the most empowered version of Theo. I am so grateful for Emily’s careful, insightful work, not to mention her good humor and grace.”
– Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Served Him Right