Jennifer Chassman Browne publishes disability advocacy book
On November 9, 2026, from Los Osos, California, the announcement states that facts and figures can raise awareness about disability, but personal stories build something more lasting: human connection. Educator and disability advocate Jennifer Chassman Browne brings readers into the lives of 30 remarkable individuals whose honest, deeply personal experiences invite empathy, challenge assumptions and encourage a more inclusive world.
Chassman Browne said, “When we hear someone’s story, we naturally look for points of similarity and connection, even when that person’s life is very different from our own. Stories can lower our defenses and help us approach unfamiliar experiences with greater empathy and understanding.” The statement positions storytelling as a direct mechanism for reducing barriers and fostering approachability toward unfamiliar disability experiences.
The book captures humanity, complexity and richness of lives lived with disability through 30 intimate profiles. Chassman Browne adds original poems inspired by each participant’s story for another layer of reflection and connection. Striking black-and-white photography by Natalie Brescia accompanies the text to create a powerful portrait of a community whose voices are too often overlooked.
Some profiled names are recognizable, such as Charlie Carr, who helped secure passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Keith Jones, featured in the Emmy Award-winning documentary The Ride Ahead. Most profiled individuals remain ordinary people navigating everyday life while offering extraordinary insights into strength, belonging, and the universal desire to be seen and understood.
Chassman Browne added, “See Us, Know Us features 30 different stories, but there are so many more to be told. We need others to learn about disability access and inclusion and to be our allies in creating a more accessible world.” The statement underscores the requirement for expanded storytelling and active allyship.
The subject line frames the release as See Us, Know Us – Disability Advocate Uses Storytelling as a Pathway to Connection and Inclusion. Full publication details list the title See Us, Know Us: Profiles of Disability, publisher Torchflame, release date October 6, 2026, ISBN-13 978-1611536461, and availability from https://www.amazon.com/See-Us-Know-Profiles-Disability/dp/1611536464.
Cory Lee, Accessible Travel Blogger and Content Creator, stated: “See Us, Know Us: Profiles of Disability is the kind of book that stays with you. The stories are personal and a reminder that disabled people deserve to be seen as whole people, not stereotypes or inspiration.” The review emphasizes the book’s lasting personal impact.
Jennifer Chassman Browne has lived with rheumatoid arthritis since age six. For most of her professional life she worked as an English teacher and school leader. For the past seven years she has served as a DEI and disability advocate who educates others about the strengths and gifts people with disabilities possess. She also helps people understand the importance of allies, systems and structures that ensure access and inclusion. Chassman Browne earned certification as a listener poet and invests in using poetry and storytelling to build connections that aid development of empathy, understanding and belonging.
As a child Chassman Browne remained active and athletic, yet her arthritis has grown more limiting in adulthood. She spent her teaching career with teenagers and maintains relationships with many former students. The seven-year advocacy timeline centers on educating about disability access and inclusion while promoting allyship and structural change.
