I need help with this topic. I feel like characters with both physical and mental disabilities aren't represented in literature, and when they are it isn't done in a way that does them justice. I want to be able to write characters with disabilities that have more to them than just that, and I want to be able to write them in an accurate and respectful way. Anyone have any tips or ideas?
The biggest tip that helped me with writing physically disabled characters is that you "should write the character without the disability first, then go back and see what that character would be like with a physical disability".
One of my characters, Nisha, had most of her arm amputated when she was young. Before I added the disability of not having an arm to her character, I planned out her personality and general appearance. After I had all of that planned out, I went and asked myself how Nisha would function without an arm. How would her disability affect her snarky personality?
I see. That's very helpful, thank you :)