Carolyn MacDiarmid, after push from the Ontario Government, authored a series of children’s books aimed to foster inclusion from an early age. MacDiarmid is a former preschool teacher who uses her own experiences of low vision to produce books which represent individuals with disabilities. The story book, Wendy Blair and the Assignment, features a young girl in grade 9 who uses her wheelchair as a form of mobility and has a passion for doing everything that her peers can. Wendy Erin Blair is committed to making sure that her assignments are always presented on time. Mrs. Bell, Wendy’s grade 9 teacher, urged her class, for their final assignment, to accompany one of their parental guardians to work for a week in order to develop a better sense of what their job entails. Wendy Blair settled that she will conduct her observation at Chez Pierre, a jewellery store that her mother works at.
This story book offers parents and teachers the opportunity to provide their children with the chance to engage with characters who have diverse talents and strengths. Wendy Blair pushes the boundaries that Chez Pierre presents and follows on another adventure to fracture these limitations. As a result, she creates a space that is inclusive to individuals with disabilities and free of impediments. Carolyn MacDiarmid explores the power disabled communities have on educating those who are naïve to the obstructions that disabled individuals are faced with every day as a result of poor spatial planning. Like the stories main character, Wendy Blair, Carolyn MacDiarmid too lives with a disability. Her experiences with low vision offer MacDiarmid an insight into some of the barriers she may face in her daily routine and is then able to connect on a deeper level with those within the disabled community. This is what allowed her the opportunity to develop a series of children’s books that are inclusive to the realities of the barriers those with disabilities are forced to cope with. By doing so, these experiences that characters, such as Wendy Blair, venture through allow for children to become aware of how imperative inclusivity really is.
One challenge that Wendy Blair faces when she visits Chez Pierre is the absence of ramps at the front of the store. Rather, she had to use the ramp that was sequestered at the back of the store where the atmosphere felt dark and dreary. Unfortunately, this is the reality that many with wheelchairs may face, or any individual with a disability who may require such accommodations. I found it quite interesting that, prior to Wendy’s arrival, it was mentioned that the weather changed drastically, and the sunshine turned into rain. This change in weather seemed to me to have represented the emotional fluctuation that Wendy Blair may have felt as a direct result of the inaccessibility offered by her mother’s store.
The targeted audience that this book looks to attract is well thought out and integrates common issues that perpetuate throughout society and the negativity of those within it. Many able-bodied individuals are not educated on the personal lived experiences of disabled individuals and therefore may not critically understand the importance of inclusivity. Rather, like the boss of Chez Pierre, Madam O. Yehwoo, many are quick to express their aggravations and demonstrate arrogance. It is influential to present this viewpoint to young audience members because it educates and informs them why procuring this frame of mind is repugnant. The author does an excellent job at capturing the realities which exist in our society and how simple modifications to spatial structuring and quality of atmosphere can make a difference for individuals with disabilities. A proportion of able-bodied individuals feel as though they have a sense of power over who they feel are ‘different.’ This power can often times be dangerous and requires a better understanding of disabled communities as not being defined by their disability.
Disabled individuals are too often left out of narratives. Carolyn MacDiarmid, through the use of this children’s book, gives disabled individuals history and an identity. Rather than being represented as solely an object to be examined, MacDiarmid breaks this narrative by showcasing Wendy Blair as a bright individual who takes on obstacles by making others see the injustice of them. This speaks to children who too have the power to make a difference. It also speaks to other disabled children, or young adults, who may have faced similar experiences and who should not feel ashamed of who they are. Rather they are encouraged to recognize that they too can change their own narrative.
One criticism I have though developed as a result of reading this children’s book, is that there are some limitations that disabled individuals may face. Wendy Blair effortlessly changed the mind of Madam O. Yehwoo and just like that a ramp was in place at the front of the store. This effortless revamp of spatial design and individual attitudes will not come as easy as the children’s book portrays which can be disheartening for some who seek to do the same. Yet, it does encourage perseverance and offers insight into the benefits of inclusivity.