This Project is Preserving the Stories of People with Disabilities

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act, StoryCorps is partnering with a new year long project, the Disability Visibility Project, to record never heard before stories from across the country. This grassroots campaign will document the stories of people with disabilities from all over the United States.

The Disability Visibility Project seeks to preserve the stories of people with disabilities.

Starting July 2014 to July 2015, people with disabilities are encouraged to go to StoryCorps (San Francisco, Atlanta, Chicago and Mobile Tour) to contribute their story in celebration of the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Having these stories recorded and available to the public will preserve disability history, making them accessible to all.

“We believe all people are historic figures with stories that are worth sharing and preserving,” says Alice Wong, Project Coordinator. 

“The Americans with Disabilities Act was a landmark civil rights law that prohibited discrimination based on disability and provided equal opportunity for millions to participate in society” Wong adds. “We are taking this opportunity to remember and reflect as a community on the tremendous changes we’ve experienced so far.”

StoryCorps interviews are conducted between two people who know and care about each other. A trained facilitator guides the participants through the interview process. At the end of each 40-minute recording session, participants receive a copy of their interview. With their permission, a second copy is archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Participants can make reservations online with StoryCorps and mention the Disability Visibility Project in the “NOTES” section of the online form so their story will be tagged for this project. Check StoryCorps’ website for more information on how to participate.

Wong includes “The struggle for disability and human rights continues and it is important for future generations to have this history to guide them.”
Reserve Your Spot Today 

This article was contributed by Lee Snow of Jason’s Connection.