Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba (AANM) is launching an anthology on November 7, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. CDT, at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (85 Israel Asper Way, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0L5).

Disability Ways: An anthology about disability gain by d/Deaf and disabled writers features poems, essays, fiction, and creative non-fiction pieces highlighting the voices of 33 writers from Manitoba, across Canada, and from California.

Edited by Diane Driedger and L(ani) Zastre, Disability Ways centres the lived experiences of d/Deaf and disabled writers through the lens of disability gain. This collection of writing platforms valuable insights on the creative and positive ways of doing things and being in the world from a cross-disability perspective. The book is divided into the disability ways of being, knowing, and relating, with each section challenging the narratives and negative attitudes surrounding disability.

Reflecting on the anthology, Diane Driedger, AANM’s Board Chair and Assistant Professor in the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program in Disability Studies (University of Manitoba) stated, “Society has tended to see disability as a deficit, as negative. in Disability Ways we have turned this on its head. Disability can be positive and creative —a gain for disabled people and society.”

The book gathered advance praise from Debbie Patterson, Artistic Director of Sick + Twisted Theatre, who described the anthology as, “a powerful collection of urgent voices demanding attention”. Nancy E. Hansen, PhD, Professor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Master’s Program in Disability Studies (University of Manitoba) highlighted that, “Disability Ways presents disability as creative potential, possibility, and rare insight.”

The book launch will be held in person and online via Zoom. To join the launch virtually, please register using this link: https://aanm.ca/book-launch-disability-ways/

To order your copy of the anthology, please visit https://aanm.ca/book-orders/

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About Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba:

Arts AccessAbility Network Manitoba (AANM) is a regional not-for-profit artist-run charitable organization dedicated to the full inclusion of artists and audiences with disabilities into all facets of the art community. AANM facilitates a network of artists and partners from both the arts and disability communities that support d/Deaf and disabled artists in achieving individual artistic excellence. AANM advocates for higher visibility of artists within all disciplines, and promotes policies and practices intended to make the arts more accessible to all Manitobans.