New book examines the double discrimination of learning disability and race

A powerful new book explores how race, discrimination and learning disability intersect, and how people of colour with a learning disability experience racism and ableism.

Double Discrimination: people of colour with learning disabilities defying ableism and racism is written by award-winning social affairs journalist Saba Salman. It examines the historical context of attitudes towards learning disability and race and features people’s experiences of multiple marginalisation and unfair prioritisation from childhood to adulthood.

In her preface, Saba says that the book is about a failure by society, both the public and those in positions of power, to acknowledge how the overlapping aspects of people’s identities affect their treatment. It is also about what ignoring this means for people now and in the future, and what can happen when the status quo is challenged.

She adds: “Double Discrimination is driven by a need to more fully investigate the inequalities faced by learning disabled people of colour and their families.”

Double discrimination of learning disability and race

The book is divided into three parts, with the first discussing the author’s personal motivations for writing it – her sister, Raana, and her experiences as the sibling of someone with a learning disability.

Raana is beautifully described as someone who is both dependent on others and independently minded, bossy but thoughtful, brutally frank yet kind. Not a big hugger but very loving. She adds that Raana’s identity as a person with a cultural heritage also needs to be recognised, not denied by traditionally driven expectations or wider societal assumptions about disability or ethnicity.

Saba then examines attitudes towards learning disability and race in the past, providing historical context, and offers a snapshot of where we are today.

This theme is further explored in the second part of the book, which investigates people’s experiences of multiple marginalisation, including external prejudice from professionals in health or care, as well as the internal cultural stigma within communities that’s often not discussed.

The third and final part of this book explores the growing fight against ableism and racism, and the work of organisations, individuals, and those leading the fight, offering readers opportunities to challenge limiting systems and support the growing momentum for change.

To support the publication, Saba has created a film trailer for her book, featuring Paul Christian, activist, historian and researcher; pianist Chapman Shum; Bollywood dancer Harry Cartmill; and campaigner and researcher Ramandeep Kaur.

Saba said: “My book’s shaped by a range of brilliant humans, and it doesn’t just reveal the scale of the dual injustices but shows how people and families defy these challenges – in powerful, beautiful ways. And it shows why we need to follow their lead.”

Double Discrimination will be published on 21 May and is available for pre-order now.

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today.

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