The Fight for Disability Rights, with authors Janine Leffler and Maryann Cocca-Leffler In-Person
Join this mother and daughter team as they read from their acclaimed picture book, We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights. They will talk about how this book came to be, how it is used to teach about the history of disability rights, and other books that were inspired by Janine's life. Followed by a Q&A and a book signing. Books will be available for purchase through Kelly's Books to Go.
- Date:
- Thursday, May 14, 2026
- Time:
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Meeting Room
- Audience:
- Adults
- Categories:
- Author Talks Parenting
Maryann Cocca-Leffler is an award-winning author and illustrator of over 70 books for children, including the recently published, Marabella’s Moment. Maryann’s passion and advocacy for disability rights began when her daughter, Janine Leffler, was born, and has inspired many books including We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights, co-authored with Janine, and Fighting for Yes! The Story of Disability Rights Activist Judith Heumann, the 2023 Maine Literary Award winner and the 2023 NTCE (National Council for English Teachers) Honor Award for outstanding nonfiction. Both books were awarded Gold Selections by the Junior Library Guild. Maryann lives and works on the coast of Maine. Visit her at MaryannCoccaLeffler.com
Janine Leffler is the co-author We Want to Go to School! The Fight for Disability Rights which includes her lived experience of a person with disabilities. She will soon be working for Vertical Harvest Farms, a company whose award-winning employment model focuses on the individual’s abilities with an inclusive approach. Janine is a passionate reader and reviewer of books. In her spare time Janine loves Broadway plays, writing, and life! She lives in Portland, Maine.
