A Barrow teacher has voiced her support for increased diversity in children's literature.

Laura Reid, Assistant Head Teacher of Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School, says that disabled children being represented in books can help to break down barriers and reflect real life, with one in ten children having a disability.

The disability equality charity, Scope, has released a survey suggesting a distressing outlook.

As per their research findings, one in three disabled people had encountered books where disability was negatively depicted.

Additionally, two-thirds expressed a belief that perceptions held about them by non-disabled individuals would likely change, should they be more accurately represented in literature.

Almost half of all disabled individuals felt that they lacked representation within the books they read as a child.

Laura, who is also the school’s maths and ICT lead, set up the annual Ormsgill Book Festival to promote reading to Furness primary pupils.

She said: “I believe that every child should be able to read a book and relate to the characters. I know when I read to our students, I ensure they all feel part of the story and that makes them totally engrossed in that book.

“Our primary school has a high number of SEN students. Many are autistic with some being non-verbal.

“A really important part about reading these stories to our students is, it gives me the opportunity to have age-appropriate discussions about diversity and disability.

"These reading sessions are so vital in helping students realise they’re an equal part of society, while developing their confidence at the same time.”

Currently, Laura is busy organising Ormsgill School's next annual book festival.

The school, part of the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust, has already confirmed appearances from award-winning children’s novelists Frank Cottrell Boyce and Jennifer Killick for the event on June 13.

She said: “We would love to hear from any authors who were able to come and talk about how they ensure disabilities are reflected in their books."

Scope's Research Panel conducted the survey with 359 disabled people, and parents of disabled children.

Ruth Blazye, executive director of retail and communities at Scope, also expressed her concern over dated and damaging stereotypes of disabled individuals.

"It was disheartening to find too many disabled children and their parents said that they’d never seen anyone who looked or talked like them or, if they saw a disabled person, it was in a negative context,” she said.

“This sends a troubling message that implies that disability is something to be feared. It can also lead to disabled children thinking they or their disability should be hidden away.”

To raise funding, Scope has launched a 2024 calendar available from its website at www.scope.org.uk.