Using Young Adult Literature Featuring LGBTQ Adolescents With Intellectual and/or Physical Disabilities to Strengthen Classroom Inclusion

Adolescence is chaotic for all individuals, but LGBTQ adolescents with intellectual and/or physical disabilities struggle with what it means to be furthest from the majority. These teens experience varying exclusions and harassments from peers, educators, and family members. Contemporary young adult literature can assist these adolescents through novels positively reflecting themselves and their situations and issues. Such literature also affords greater majority awareness, understanding, and acceptance of these minority individuals within schools and society.