Introduction: Reading disability in science fiction

Abstract

The Sixty-Seventh World Science Fiction Convention (WorldCon) in August 2009 featured a panel titled “Death, Illness and Disability in Fantasy and Science Fiction." The session was absolutely packed with fans, many of whom identified as persons with disabilities. Throughout the too-brief hour, people shared stories of identifying with specific disabled (or bodily limited) characters and insightfully critiqued the technologies imagined within various science fiction (SF) scenarios. At the time, as a newcomer to the unique world of SF fandom, I was struck by the communal desire to discuss disability as it is represented in SF. Once the panel was finished and we were politely reminded to vacate the room, I knew that I wanted to keep the conversation going. Since then, I have repeatedly encountered a SF community-both academic and fan1-eager to engage with questions of dis/ability, as well as embodiment and identity, for people with disabilities.