Books & Resources
Research-informed resources for language learning, disability inclusion, and advocacy.
About these resources
Books & Resources includes practical materials for learners, educators, and researchers in the fields of foreign language learning, disability inclusion, and advocacy. These resources are designed to bridge research and practice in accessible and meaningful ways.
Language Learning Resources
Comprehensible Readers
These novels are written and illustrated by the founder of Forward Abilities and reflect a focus on accessible, engaging input for beginning language learners. They use structured, simplified language and illustrations to support comprehension.
Edi el elefante
Edi is a talented elephant, but he is very small. Edi does not want to be talented or small; he wants to be BIG! One day, Edi discovers that a small animal can solve a big problem and that being small is not so horrible after all.
This book is idea for novice language learners with with only 55 unique words and 100 fully illustrated pages.
Available in Spanish, English, and Japanese.
Edi el amigo
Drought has struck the African savannah and without water, the animals are struggling to survive. With bravery and love, Edi faces the challenge and finds a new friend in the process.
With only 70 unique words and a variety of Spanish-English cognates, Edi el amigo offers an engaging narrative with a highly manageable vocabulary load.
Available in black and white or color.
Silencio, ¡por favor!
Living in Cairo, Egypt is anything but quiet. Desperate to sleep and study, Samir makes a bold attempt to escape the noisy city - even if it requires abandoning his family. He soon discovers that living without family in a constant state of ‘quiet’ is not as wonderful as he thought.
This book is ideal for novice-high language learners. Every page is packed with illustrations to support comprehension for the 98 unique words.
Available in Spanish and French.
Videos
Maestra Ibrahim YouTube
Interactive videos in Spanish for elementary-aged children learning Spanish as a second language. Learn Spanish through art, movement, stories, and music.
Resources for Inclusion
Books
Success for Students with Disabilities in the FL Classroom: Evidence from Down Syndrome
This upcoming book documents the abilities of children with Down syndrome to learn a foreign language and provides guidance for foreign language teachers working with students with disabilities. It bridges research in language acquisition, disability studies, and inclusive pedagogy to offer practical strategies for adapting instruction in real classroom settings.
Coming in 2027
Podcasts
Teaching La Vida Loca
(Featured Guest)
Seeing Every Student: Intentional Inclusion in the World Language Classroom (Episode 93)
Annabelle Williamson (aka La Maestra Loca) and I discuss strategies for successful inclusion of students with disabilities in the world language classroom. This energetic conversation is a great introduction to the topic which will whet your appetite and provide you with concrete strategies to teach students with disabilities.
Advocacy & Perspectives
This section includes published articles and reflections on disability, inclusion, faith, and the value of every individual. Topics include accessible education, advocacy, and meaningful participation in community and society, with the goal of encouraging thoughtful dialogue and advocacy informed by both research and lived experience.
Worthy Lives Lost
This article explores the ethical implications of prenatal genetic testing for Down syndrome and calls Christians to affirm and celebrate the inherent dignity and value of every human life.
The New Eugenics
This article highlights rising disability-selective abortion rates across Europe and warns that current policies reflect a devaluation of people with disabilities, calling for stronger protections of vulnerable lives.
A Sacred Calling in a Shifting World
This article reflects on the 50th anniversary of IDEA and urges Christian schools to expand access and support for students with disabilities, emphasizing the biblical call to provide inclusive, high-quality education rooted in the dignity of every child.
Cleansing the law of measures to “cleanse” the population
This article examines the ongoing legacy of forced sterilization laws affecting people with disabilities in the U.S. and calls for continued legal reform and Christian advocacy to protect their bodily autonomy and inherent human dignity.
How these resources connect
Although these resources serve different audiences, they share a common goal: supporting meaningful learning through accessible, research-informed approaches. Whether focused on language learners, educators, or advocacy, each resource contributes to a broader vision of effective education and an inclusive society.
