How-to

• Know your audience
• Do your research
• Find out about your audience
• Explore the complexity of the disability so you are more equip with the tools necessary to engage your audience. 
• For example: Taking a closer at stroke survivors...
•  This is an informational resource that we found useful in outlining relevant features of stroke to be aware of when story telling.
• http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4761
  

•  Pick a story that is suitable 
• Choose age appropriate material
• Be responsive and respectful of your audiences situation; This includes being respectful of culture, disabilities, abilities, gender, and so much more. 
• Make sure your audience can relate to it (this does not mean making it always about disabilities, approach the story like you would with any audience!- Challenge yourself to look beyond the disability).
• Be aware of the length of your story, keep it on topic and tell it with intention.
• Make sure the story makes sense and that it progresses logically and is open to audience interpretation. 

• Be prepared
• It is important when telling stories to any audience to know your story and have a completed story structure. This is critical to be able to a adapt your story to your audience and be flexible in your telling. When telling to people with disabilities, it is even more important to be proactive and adaptable; especially when you are not receiving the 'intended' or expected response. Embrace whatever reaction you may receive and play with your story to tailor it to this audience. For example, if your audience enjoys and reacts positively to exaggerated facial expressions and gestures, try to build on this make sure it continues throughout the rest of the telling.

• Ongoing Reflection 
• Throughout the telling process, constantly be gauging the emotional climate and how your audience is receiving your story.  Use these observations, to make changes to the story or how you are telling the story. Your audience will tell you a lot through their verbal and/or non-verbal communication, so listen carefully and adjust your story accordingly.