‘Deaf or disabled people get put in a box. It’s frustrating, it’s tiring and it’s boring. I want that box to be broken open!’—Mojo Mathers

In Out of the Box, an illustrated book for readers aged 12+, author Trish Harris shares the stories of 25 Deaf and disabled New Zealanders – artists, activists and adventurers – who have broken open the box and claimed their space. ‘They’ve put a flag in the ground, as in the drawing on the cover,’ writes Harris. ‘They’ve said, “I’m doing life my way” and “this is what I need, in order to be who I am”.’

The second half of the book provides a detailed timeline of significant Deaf and disability milestones in Aotearoa New Zealand, from the 1840s to the present day. This little-known history anchors the stories in the events and attitudes of their time, and enables readers to see how political decisions and social progress have a real impact on people’s lives.

The 25 New Zealanders profiled include people who swim, cycle, act, protest, make films and music, write books, perform live comedy, ski, dance, make laws, teach, travel, invent things and more. Out of the Box celebrates both big achievements and everyday life. It shows that many of the mountains disabled people face are created by society – and that those mountains can be moved.