*** This session has ASL interpretation.

Stories may be for everyone who finds themselves in our audience, but it takes care to ensure every audience member is truly included in the tales we weave. With an estimated 25% of the population disabled in some way, it’s a guarantee that at one point or another every performer have a diverse audience with varied access needs and perspectives.

This workshop was developed by a disabled and Deaf storyteller who has spent time both on stage and in the audience. With that experience, it was designed to educate on common exclusionary storytelling trends, how to storytell effectively with an interpreter, and how to communicate about accessibility as a performer. Includes space for discussion, demonstrations, and the opportunity to learn how to incorporate accessible thinking into any repertoire.

A storytelling student from East Tennessee State University, Jordan Bennett has long fallen in love with stories of all kinds. From the fantastic fairy tales to personal stories that can shift your whole perspective, every tale holds magic for the audience and the teller. As a deaf, disabled, and disfigured person, she’s determined to make that magic accessible to everyone, all the while sharing her unique stories developed over a lifetime of being different.