“A vibrant and involving story of advancing Canada’s disability laws.
A chronicle of McCallum’s fight on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities in Canada. The author, an attorney, focuses her nonfiction debut on the four years she spent working on negotiations alongside other advocates at the United Nations to develop the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) . . . She sets the story against Canada’s long and deplorable history of discrimination and abuses committed against people with intellectual disabilities as typified by places like the Woodlands “School” . . . The most prominent feature of McCallum’s account is also its greatest strength: the assured way the author underscores the seriousness of her subject with dramatic passages designed to add vivid immediacy to the narrative . . . These dramatic touches memorably enhance an already gripping story of righting a long-standing legal wrong."
​​
Kirkus Reviews
​
​
"I have received your book in the mail . What a wonderful read! I couldn’t put it down and learned a lot that I didn’t know about the disability movement and a little more about you. Your personal perspectives on the Convention brought back a lot of fond memories and reminded me what a groundbreaking achievement it was. Thank you."
​
David Sproule, Former head of Canada’s delegation to the UN (CRPD)
​
​
"Your book arrived this week. I have devoured it! A wonderful exposition of what matters, and an evocative description of key moments in Canadian and UN disability history! So many names of Canadians that were influential on my path trying to right the many wrongs imposed on people with disabilities.
​Thanks for the book. We will treasure it. I know I only saw the draft excerpts where I was mentioned but I think you and your editor have improved it from then. It reads really well. It pulled me in and on until quickly finished. Well done!"
​
Jan Scown, Former head of New Zealand's delegation to the UN (CRPD)
​
​
"The Audacity of Inclusion: Fighting for the Equality of Persons Labelled Intellectually Disabled is a vital book that should be on every household bookshelf and in every library holding. Through Dulcie McCallum’s deep personal commitment and public advocacy as a nurse, lawyer, and activist, we have an opportunity to hear the stories of her labelled companions, helping us to unlearn our prejudices and learn acceptance of those too long excluded from society-at-large and our private lives."
​
Harry Thurston, Lost River, The Waters of Remembrance, A Memoir
​
"I have just finished your book and wanted to tell you I really enjoyed it . . I think you've done a great job! A good balance of information and intellectual analysis with real people's stories. I am thinking you must feel very lucky to have been able to do the work you have done through your life and to meet the many interesting people you have met often with heart wrenching stories. I know you have made a difference to people's lives and I hope your book gets read by many and carries the work forward. Congratulations!"
​
Cheryl Lynn Vickers, sister of the late Pamela Vickers and daughter of the late David Vickers, BC Supreme Court Judge
​
​
​
​
​
​