Maya's Amazing Friends

Maya’s Amazing Friends — Learning About Disabilities By [Your Name] Page 1 – Meet Maya Hi! I’m Maya. I’m 9 years old, I wear glasses, and I love learning new things. Today, I’m going on an adventure to meet some amazing friends — and learn about disabilities! Everyone’s body and brain work differently, and that’s what makes the world special. Illustration Idea: Bright cover scene — Maya with curly hair and glasses, backpack on, waving. Behind her are colorful paths leading to new friends of all kinds. Title at top in playful font. Page 2 – Physical Disabilities Text: Some disabilities affect how someone’s body moves or works. Examples include: • Cerebral palsy • Muscular dystrophy • Spina bifida • Limb differences • Paralysis • Chronic pain This is Tom. He uses a wheelchair. Maya asks, “How can we be good friends, Tom?” Tom smiles, “Just include me and be kind! Some people use wheelchairs, crutches, or braces — and that’s okay!” ✅ Do: Offer help if asked, include them in play, be patient. ❌ Don’t: Touch someone’s wheelchair or make them feel different. Illustration Idea: Maya and Tom racing toy cars on the sidewalk; Tom in his wheelchair, both laughing. Page 3 – Neurodevelopmental & Learning Disabilities Text: These affect how someone’s brain learns or communicates. Examples: • Autism • ADHD • Dyslexia • Dyscalculia • Dysgraphia • Intellectual disabilities Maya meets Lilly, who has dyslexia. “Reading can be hard for me,” says Lilly, “but I’m great at remembering stories!” ✅ Do: Be kind, explain things clearly, include everyone. ❌ Don’t: Tease or call someone “weird.” Illustration Idea: Maya and Lilly reading together on a beanbag; Lilly smiles while Maya points at pictures in a book. Page 4 – Communication Disabilities Text: These affect how someone talks or understands language. Examples: • Speech delays • Stuttering • Apraxia of speech • Selective mutism • Nonverbal communication Maya meets Leah, who uses a communication computer to talk. Leah types, “We all have different ways to speak — and that’s okay!” ✅ Do: Listen patiently and try to understand. ❌ Don’t: Interrupt or make fun of how someone talks. Illustration Idea: Leah sitting at a desk, typing on a tablet that shows words in a speech bubble. Maya listens kindly. Page 5 – Sensory Disabilities Text: These affect how someone sees, hears, or experiences the world. Examples: • Blindness or low vision • Deafness or hearing loss • Sensory sensitivities Maya meets April, who is blind. April says, “I use my cane and my guide dog, Sunny!” ✅ Do: Face people when you talk, describe things clearly, and include them. ❌ Don’t: Shout, touch guide dogs, or assume they need help — ask first. Illustration Idea: April walking with her guide dog Sunny, Maya describing flowers nearby with a big smile. Page 6 – Neurological & Health Disabilities Text: These are medical conditions that affect energy, focus, or movement. Examples: • Tourette Syndrome • Epilepsy • Diabetes • Asthma • Chronic illness Maya meets Frank, who has Tourette’s. “Sometimes my body makes sounds or movements I can’t control,” says Frank. Maya nods, “That’s okay — everyone’s body does different things!” ✅ Do: Be understanding and patient. ❌ Don’t: Tease or say, “You don’t look sick.” Illustration Idea: Frank laughing with Maya while playing video games; his tic shown with a fun motion line, but everyone relaxed. Page 7 – Emotional & Mental Health Disabilities Text: These affect how someone feels, thinks, or handles emotions. Examples: • Anxiety • Depression • OCD • Bipolar disorder • PTSD Maya meets Kris, who has anxiety. “Sometimes I worry a lot,” says Kris, “but it helps when friends listen.” ✅ Do: Be supportive and kind. ❌ Don’t: Call someone “crazy” or make jokes. Illustration Idea: Maya and Kris sitting on a playground bench, sharing snacks and smiling calmly. Page 8 – Hidden or Invisible Disabilities Text: Some disabilities can’t be seen just by looking at someone. Examples: • Chronic pain • Autism • ADHD • Tourette’s • Anxiety • Hearing loss • Learning disabilities Maya meets Sara, who wears hearing aids. “You might not notice my disability,” she says, “but it’s still part of me!” Illustration Idea: Maya and Sara whispering secrets and laughing — little sparkles near Sara’s hearing aids showing sound waves. Page 9 – Maya’s Big Message Text: Maya smiles. “You can’t always see a disability — so always be kind and patient!” Illustration Idea: Maya and all her friends together in a park — Tom in his wheelchair, April with her guide dog, Leah with her tablet, everyone playing happily. Page 10 – What to Do & What Not to Do Text: ✅ Do: • Be kind and patient • Ask before helping • Treat everyone fairly • Learn about differences • Use people-first language (“a person who has…”) ❌ Don’t: • Tease, stare, or whisper • Assume what someone can or can’t do • Speak for them unless they ask • Leave anyone out of games or groups Illustration Idea: Two side-by-side panels — one “Do” panel showing kids playing together, one “Don’t” panel with crossed-out examples like teasing or whispering. Page 11 – The End Text: Maya waves goodbye with her friends. “Everyone is unique — and that’s what makes the world amazing!” 🌈 The End Illustration Idea: A joyful group photo of all the friends waving at the reader under a rainbow sky