Beware the inspirational disability story

Supercrip stories are a subset of “inspiration porn.” And to me, they’re offensive and do a serious disservice to the disability community.

by Ben Mattlin

If you're reading this, chances are you're interested in disabilities (or people who have them). The good news is, you're not alone.

By Ben Mattlin

Last month, pop star Britney Spears went to court to protest the guardianship she’d been under since 2008. She told a judge in Los Angeles that

by Ben Mattlin

Editor’s note: Ben Mattlin, our guest blogger, has given us a sneak preview of his new book. It’s a section about comic relief, and how pe

In Charles Dickens' immortal A Christmas Carol, Tiny Tim—the crutch-using young son of Bob Cratchit—is the epitome of a disability trope.

This summer, at the age of 57, I was finally able to fill out my own census form. In the past, I’ve had to have my wife do it for both of us. Bu

Not long ago, I was hired to do a sensitivity reading of a book manuscript, a guide for young adults about how people live with disabilities.

In late summer, two books by disabled women were published with strikingly similar titles: The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me by Keah Brown (Atria Books) and Such a Pretty Girl: A Story of Struggle, Empowerment, and Disability Pride by Nadina LaSpina (New Village Press).

I was born before my disability could be diagnosed.  Now I'm told it can be cured.

Watch the Today Show. Watch Dr. Phil. Read the Chicago Tribune. Go on YouTube. You'll see a new word that's causing a mild uproar.

Lately, the Internet has been in an uproar over Bryan Cranston in the new movie “The Upside.” Cranston, who came to fame playing meth entr