Storytelling for disability advocacy workbook

Storytelling is a deeply human practice that allows us to share, understand, and value lived experiences. At its heart, storytelling provides individuals and communities the power to define their identities, connect their past experiences with their present realities, and envision transformative futures. For disability communities, storytelling not only creates awareness about personal and collective experiences but also serves as a powerful catalyst for advocacy and social change.

In recognising storytelling's transformative potential, this toolkit has been developed to empower individuals and communities to articulate their stories effectively. Through structured approaches and practical resources, participants are guided in creating compelling narratives that not only convey their lived experiences but also amplify their voices in advocating for greater access to assistive technology.

By equipping advocates with effective storytelling strategies, this toolkit aims to empower communities to drive meaningful conversations, influence policies, and foster environments where misconceptions and negative perceptions of disability can be challenged. Ultimately, storytelling becomes not only a reflection of lived realities but also an active instrument in reshaping a more inclusive future.

Essentially, a story conveys an experience and a journey a person goes through, and since the way our brain understands experience and emotion, a good story that contains characters, facts, and emotions to share an experience is a valuable tool to engage the audience’s attention and understanding.

Most storytelling techniques and methodologies are based on the work of renowned philosopher Aristotle, who identified seven elements of compelling storytelling — plot, character, thought (theme), diction (dialogue), melody (overall tone and rhyme of the story), décor (visual elements), and spectacle (a memorable moment.

You should consider the following questions when developing an advocacy story.

• What is the core message?
• Why is it important to communicate this message?
• What is the intended outcome?
• Who is the audience?
• What type of stories would be most compelling to this audience?
• What is the best way to engage with this audience?
• How can the impact of this engagement be evaluated?