Casey Gray has been working in the disability sector for more than 20 years and is pioneering a new writing genre – Easy Read for adults with disability who can find reading and writing hard.
She will launch her first Easy Read book on May 30 as part of the Words on the Waves writers’ festival.
“As a person who struggles to work in mainstream employment due to complex mental health, I have tried to forge a career for myself that is both sustainable for me and contributes to advancing the rights of people with disability with a focus on inclusion in the arts, such as writing books alone in the quiet of my home or library when I’m well,” she said.
“When I was working for a disability support organisation, I realised that a group of adults who went to the local library on a weekly basis were doing so to fill in time.
“Only two people in the group actually engaged in the library services, one to borrow DVDs, the other to borrow books, although the only option that they had was choice from the children’s section.
“There is nothing wrong with adults reading children’s books, but it is only a choice when there are other viable options to choose from.
“In creating accessible books for this group of people we are able to open up real choice and start to facilitate activities like book club.
“I have been able to create Plot Play, an accessible story club I have been facilitating fortnightly at Erina Library where people can make friends and share their love of reading and storytelling.
“Library staff have told me they are often at a loss to offer anything that was age appropriate and relevant to the lives of adults with disability.
“They thought the idea of accessible Easy Read books had merit.”
With support from Creative Arts Central, Central Coast Council and Social Futures, Gray set about writing her first Easy Read book.
The book, Art with Randa Magdi, focuses on a local artist who lives with disability, who will also be at the free launch.
Gray said the two will discuss the book and why the Easy Read genre is important, followed by an art session.
The book will be launched from 1pm-2pm on Thursday, May 30, at the Erina Library.
Register to attend at https://wordsonthewaves.com.au/book-launch-program-2024/