Book Club
ONLINE LEARNING
FUTURES Book Club is a free year long Disability leadership reading group for Disabled, Neurodivergent, and equity deserving youth (aged 18-30) beginning April 2026. Through readings and monthly discussions, FUTURES Book Club offers cohort members the leadership anchors of the FUTURES program in a new format.
If you love to read, discuss, dream, and activate, and who are looking for an opportunity to learn more about identity, community building, and social activism…this club is for you. FUTURES Book Club is a virtual program, you can join from anywhere in Canada!
How does our virtual
book club work?
Taking the traditional format of a Book Club, facilitator Dr. Jess Watkin guides monthly discussions about Disability identity, community building, and social impact anchored by books, blog posts, podcasts, and more that you read and engage with on your own time.
Develop as a leader and make real change in your life and communities you care about.
READ
Read and engage with texts over the course of a month before virtual Book Club gatherings.
ENGAGE
You come to a monthly virtual session to listen, participate in group discussions and activities, and learn.
SHARE
You share ideas and respond to other members of the Book Club on the private Discord server.
Monthly Reading
Readings include books, podcasts, essays, and more, from Disabled, Deaf, and Neurodivergent writers, thought leaders, social activists.
Virtual Gathering
FUTURES Book Club meets online once per month over the course of one year, starting April 2026 and running until March 2027.
Guided Reflection
Facilitator, Dr. Jess Watkin, guides monthly discussions about Disability identity, community building, and social impact.
Shared Dialogue
You participate in small group discussions and activities, and engage with other members of the Book Club.
Accessible by Design
Sessions are designed to support different access needs and participation styles. They are recorded and shared each month.
Community-Centered
Designed for you to grow as a leader and make real change in your communities alongside people who care deeply about social impact.
Meet your host
Dr. Jessica Watkin (she/they)
Jess is a Blind artist, scholar, educator, and facilitator who has lived in Toronto for ten years. She finished her PhD in Disability and performance at the University of Toronto in 2022, and has been practising as a theatre and tactile artist since 2015 with many theatres across Toronto.
She loves writing and supporting Disabled artists in the ways they can create their own artistic work, and also developing non-disabled people’s accessibility practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the book club cost?
Nothing. The FUTURES Book Club is free to join. Books and readings are provided by the FUTURES team.
Do I need to be an expert to join?
No, you only need to be willing to engage with the monthly readings and participate in the monthly discussions and activities.
How often does the Book Club meet?
We meet once a month for a virtual session.
Do I need to finish the entire book to participate?
Yes. It is expected that you attend sessions having completed, or attempted to complete, the assigned readings.
What kind of books do you choose?
The selected readings are books, blog posts, podcasts, and more anchor in Disability identity, community building, and social impact from Disabled, Neurodivergent writers and authors.
Is the Book Club accessible?
Yes. Sessions are designed with accessibility in mind and aim to support different access needs and participation styles.
Do I need to attend every session?
Yes, if you are unable to attend the live session, it is expected that you engage with the session recordings. You can engage with the session recording at any point during the relevant month.
How do I find out what book we’re reading next?
Each month’s book selection and event details are shared in advance with registered members.
Join an Online Community of Socially-Conscious Readers
Join a growing community of Disabled, Neurodivergent, and equity deserving youth readers who come together to reflect, exchange perspectives, and make real change in the communities we care about.
Reads
Community
Contact
Need help?
If you need any accommodations or have questions about the application process, reach out—we’re here to make it work for you.
📩 Contact Us at studio@accessnow.ca.
Futures is funded in part by Canada Service Corps, a national movement that empowers youth aged 12–30 to gain experience and build important skills while giving back to their community. Learn more at Canada.ca/CanadaServiceCorps
At AccessNow our mission is to establish a go-to resource for accessibility information. We are building a connected platform to empower people to discover a world of accessible opportunities and remove barriers.