Sample Discussion & Writing Prompts

Curated by Amy Minervini

These ideas come from the Simmons University Library and can be modified to generate discussion or to fit various writing modes: personal narrative, reflection, informative, persuasive, and analysis depending on your purpose. Clicking on the link will take you to an article associated with that particular issue or topic:

1. Products mocked as “lazy” or “useless” are often important tools for people with disabilities
2. New ‘universal design’ guide wants to make public spaces pleasant for all
3. It’s Perfectly OK To Call A Disabled Person ‘Disabled,’ And Here’s Why
4. How “Differently Abled” Marginalizes Disabled People
5. Why Sex Education for Disabled People Is So Important
6. Ableism Is the Go-To Disguise for White Supremacy. Too Many People Are Falling for It
7. I’m Not Going To Be Nice About Ableism
8. Where Are All the Disabled People in the Body Positivity Campaigns?

And these:

• I Won’t Apologize for Having Fun While Chronically Ill
• Media & Disability Resources
• 6 BS Psychology ‘Facts’ (You Believe Because Of Movies)
• The Spoon Theory
• How architecture changes for the Deaf
• New York Has a Great Subway, if You’re Not in a Wheelchair
• Why I’m Done Being A ‘Good’ Mentally Ill Person
• It’s Time to Retire “Able-Bodied”
• The Vulnerable Group Sex Ed Completely Ignores — & Why That’s So Dangerous
• Disability Rights Are Conspicuously Absent From The Women’s March Platform
• Stop Sharing Those Feel-Good Cochlear Implant Videos
• Will Protests Against “Me Before You’s” Disability Representation Affect Opening Weekend Profits?
• People Who Are Not Disabled Need To Check Out #AbleismExists Right Now
• Why Some Disability Rights Activists Are Protesting ‘Me Before You’
• Apps & Disability: Call for Action to Learn How Tech Improves the Lives of PWDs
• Deaf People Don’t Need New Communication Tools—Everyone Else Does
• Fashion-able: Innovators tackle clothing challenges for people with disabilities
• Five Common Myths About Accessible Websites
• AccessNow, New Website that Highlights Accessible Venues Across the Globe: Tools You Can Use
• Meet the adorable, hardworking guide dogs of Perkins
• ADA Generation: Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Part 1)
• DisabilityScoop