Jacob Mason Tina Jackson Story video still with Jacob and Tina during the interview with the caption: "Who are you and why do you want to share your story?"

HDI Launches Storytelling Website

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute Digital Storytelling Initiative highlights the stories and lived experiences of people with disabilities. By recording and collecting stories, the contributions of people with disabilities and their families are amplified to help shape the narrative of how disability impacts society. These stories can be found at HDI Voices, a website that currently includes stories about employment, health, and COVID-19.

The work continues! Do you have a story to tell? HDI staff Patti Logsdon, Adam Potter, and Patti Singleton want to work with you. You can share your story or work with others to record their story in writing, on audio (podcast), or video. If you are interested in adding to the HDI story collection, fill out the form at https://bit.ly/TellMyStoryHDI  or contact Patti Logsdon at patti.logsdon@uky.edu or 859 218-1338.

Visit voices.hdiuky.net and share with others who want to improve their work with people with disabilities and their families. This project was made by possible by a HDI Fund for Excellence proposal.

The HDI Digital Storytelling Initiative features Dr. Phillip Rumrill

The UK Human Development Institute presents the second video in its Digital Storytelling Initiative, a Fund for Excellence project. In this video, Morgan Turner, Project Specialist, interviews Dr. Phillip Rumrill.

Dr. Rumrill is a professor of Counselor Education, and Director of Research and Training at the UK Human Development Institute. He shares his personal experience with disability, how it has impacted his life, and shares advice for other people living with disabilities. Dr. Rumrill says, “It’s not about what you can’t do. It’s what you do contribute and what you add in that appreciation of diversity and value of everyone’s humanity”.

The Digital Storytelling Initiative utilizes the StoryCorps (R) facilitation model to preserve and share stories by, about, and told by people with disabilities. In these videos, both the interviewer and interviewee are people who experience disability in their lives. If you are interested in learning more about the Digital Storytelling Initiative, contact patti.logsdon@uky.edu.

Do you want to tell your story?

Hello. My name is Jake Parsons. I live in Lexington Kentucky and I am 27 years old. I work at Walgreens and Common Grounds Coffee House. I am a member of the Kentucky Star Wars Collectors Club, and I play in a band called the Great Danes. I also have a dog named Bert, and I love the ocean and going surfing.

I have autism and it makes my brain work a little differently. Sometimes things are harder for me, but I am used to it.

Do you have a disability? Do you want to tell your story? The Human Development Institute is collecting stories about people living with disabilities. If you have a disability and you would like to be interviewed, or, if you would like to interview someone you know who has a disability, then contact Patti Logsdon at patti.logsdon@uky.edu. You can also fill out this form.  

Share Your Story!

The University of Kentucky Human Development Institute – HDI Digital Storytelling Initiative is collecting stories about the lived experiences of people with disabilities. Our team will help record the story in the format that you choose. These stories will help improve our work. Are you interested in learning more? Contact Patti Logsdon at patti.logsdon@uky.edu or 859-218-1338.

Share Your Story!