Robert Kingett

Robert Kingett is an award-winning author, essayist, journalist, and disability rights advocate whose work focuses on disability, LGBTQ+ issues, and accessibility. Kingett, a blind gay author and accessibility consultant, has developed a multifaceted career spanning fiction, nonfiction, editing, sensitivity reading, and public speaking. Born severely premature with cerebral palsy and total blindness, Kingett has become a prominent voice in contemporary literature. Early in life, he discovered that writing served as an adaptive tool to address his speech disability, guiding him toward a career in disability-focused storytelling.

Kingett is the author of "Off the Grid," "Pass the Salt," and "Apartment Snags," among other works. "Off the Grid" documents his experience living without the internet for 30 days, highlighting the challenges faced by blind individuals in a digitally dependent world. "Pass the Salt" explores his experiences navigating the dating scene as a gay man living with blindness, cerebral palsy, and a speech impediment. In addition to his own books, Kingett edited the anthology "Artificial Divide," which promotes fiction by disabled authors and advocates for greater representation in the publishing industry.

Kingett has received recognition for his essays and fiction, which often feature disabled characters living ordinary lives. He has been honored with a Professional Speakers Workshop Award and has been featured on National Public Radio. Kingett is also a recipient of the PEN America Writers Emergency Fund grant. He serves as a consultant for publishers and as an expert witness for legal professionals worldwide. His work as a sensitivity reader and authenticity editor underscores his expertise in disability representation in literature.

Kingett contributes to blogs, magazines, and newspapers, and speaks on topics such as journalism diversity and Gonzo reporting. Despite his speech disability, he regularly presents at charity and literary events and delivers keynote addresses. Kingett has organized inclusive open mic events with Chicago Public Library, focusing on disabled performers. Through his writing and public speaking, Kingett provides a personal perspective on disability, accessibility, and LGBTQ+ identity, contributing to ongoing conversations in literature, advocacy, and diversity.