Ecobiography and Disability in Australian Writing
The lack of nature writing by disabled Australian writers is a notable gap in the literary landscape.
Author Jessica White explores ecobiography, examining how her deafness influences her relationship with both natural and built environments.
In 2021, Deaf writer Fiona Murphy published The Shape of Sound, a personal account of her growing awareness of her deaf sensibility and Deaf identity.
Once we know the origins of these words, the boundaries between our bodies and the world becomes permeable
Murphy's work highlights the interconnectedness of bodies and the environment, as reflected in the etymology of words like "tibia", meaning 'pipe' or 'flute', which were once made from bone.
Author Jessica White finds solace in Murphy's book, relating to the themes of architecture and the permeability of bodies and the world.
Author's summary: Exploring ecobiography through deafness and nature.