GCDD STORYTELLING
Telling Our Stories: How The GCDD Storytelling Project is Lifting Voices in the Developmental Disability Community By Hilary Vece The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) Storytelling Project lifts and shares the stories of people with developmental disabilities throughout the state of Georgia. Using several mediums, The GCDD Storytelling project has produced a collection of written and photographed stories, a podcast, a documentary film, and a drive-in roadshow of filmed performances. The GCDD Storytelling Project is produced by L’Arche Atlanta through a grant from GCDD. Beginning in 2018, The GCDD Storytelling Project has connected with people with developmental disabilities and their families by simply asking them to tell their story. Traveling the state, photographers and writers collected more than 150 stories of real life, bravery, challenges, and courage. Selecting
stories by district, a book was printed and shared with legislators, allowing advocates to easily show legislators a story from their constituents. Whether it be speaking with a legislator or a community leader, stories are an effective advocacy tool. “Disability advocacy done in the abstract like ‘this number of people’ or ‘this number of dollars’ can only go so far,” said Tim Moore, Executive Director of L’Arche Atlanta. Moore expanded, explaining that building indirect relationships through storytelling can be influencing. Throughout the project, L’Arche Atlanta has partnered with organizations and people throughout the state and across the country. This year, L’Arche Atlanta has continued a partnership with StoryMuse to shape the next phase of The GCDD Storytelling Project. Shannon Turner, Founder and
Stories are just data with a soul. — Brené Brown.
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Creative Director of StoryMuse, is a storytelling expert that has been involved in most of The GCDD Storytelling Project’s efforts since its creation. “One of my favorite quotes about this work,” said Turner, “is ‘The shortest distance between two human hearts is a story.’” Following the success of the first phase, The GCDD Storytelling Project began its production of their podcast, Hidden Voices. “These are funny, heartwarming, challenging stories about people with developmental disabilities who are living, working, and advocating for their rights.” –The GCDD Storytelling Project The first season of Hidden Voices explores issues affecting people with developmental disabilities with a different topic for each episode. Wide ranging, topics include adaptive technology, employment, education, and advocacy. Describing the second season of Hidden Voices, Turner said “it is a deeper dive through the lens of someone looking to be an advocate.”
