This article considers the role of literacy in the lives of four people with physical disabilities. Interviews with them reveal that despite experiencing potential barriers to participating in literacy activities, literacy is nevertheless an important dimension to their identities. Limitations of the traditional models of disability and literacy are explored and alternative, social models are found to offer a more helpful framework, in which engagement with text is seen in the context of people's lives. It is suggested that interventionists still have some way to go before their practice will fully reflect these perspectives.