Possibly of marginal interest but I send this for those whose interest in
diversity includes disability equality.

Regards to all,

Jane Wickenden

*************************
CALL FOR PROPOSALS September 2002
Proposals are invited for papers on the theme of
Disability Culture in Children's Literature,

for Disability Studies Quarterly, an online peer reviewed journal published
by The Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaii at
<http://www.cds.hawaii.edu/dsq>. The purpose of the Quarterly is to provide
an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to share ideas across
disciplinary barriers.

The rapidly growing study of modern children's literature has recognised the
significance of issues such as race and gender bias in contributing to
children's understanding of themselves as individuals and in society at
large. In contrast, there is little debate concerning portrayals of
disability culture in relation to current definitions and experiences of
disability and illness.

We seek papers that explore how modern children's fiction portrays
disability and illness and what perceptions may be drawn from it.
Collaborations between scholars of disability and children's literature
studies, or other interested parties, who can offer new perspectives, are
particularly encouraged.

Papers on the theme of disability culture in children's literature might
include:

An analyses of disabled characters, disability images or disabling
situations in any genre, or by individual writers, for any age group of
reader.

The factors governing the presentation of disability or illness in addition
to race or national boundaries, or in addition to other cultural influences
such as gender or age.

The factors governing appropriate presentations of emotions such as humour
or anger in relation to perceptions of all disabling conditions but
particularly learning difficulties or mental health problems.

The challenges and opportunities for illustrators and translators in
relation to the portrayal of disability issues.

The development of resources for scholars of children's literature, writers
of fiction or curriculum resources, or literary critics, to better inform
their work involving disability.

Proposals of approximately 500 words should be submitted by the end of
September 2002 and accompanied by a short biographical statement of the
contributor/s including professional credentials and affiliations where
relevant, and contributor/s postal address. Proposals must be sent within
the body of an email (attachments will be deleted unopened), and subsequent
correspondence will be by email only.

It is anticipated that suitable proposers will be notified by January 2003,
with completed submissions in the region of 5,000 words required by August
2003, for publication in January 2004.

Proposals should be sent to Kathy Saunders [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>


Editorial team for this issue of DSQ:

The Joint Symposium Editors for this issue of Disability Studies Quarterly
are Kathy Saunders, Ann Dowker and Jane Stemp (aka Jane Wickenden to anyone
who gets this far!).

Kathy Saunders
Consultant for Disability Awareness in Children's Books and author of Happy
Ever Afters - a storybook guide to teaching children about disability.
(Trentham, 2000) <http://web.ukonline.co.uk/happyeverafters>
email:  [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Ann Dowker,
University Research Lecturer
Department of Experimental Psychology,
University of Oxford,
South Parks Road,
Oxford OX1 3UD

Interests: Developmental psychology; History of children's literature with
special reference to representations of disability and illness.
e-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Jane Stemp.

Author: Waterbound (Hodder, 1995); Secret Songs (Hodder, 1997)

c/o Caroline Walsh,
David Higham Associates Ltd.
5-8 Lower John Street
Golden Square
London W1R 4HA
tel: 020 7437 7888
fax: 020 7437 1072

END