It's Our Story

It’s Our Story is a mixed-media digital history archive that houses a comprehensive collection of video, photos and documents regarding life with disability in America. The national initiative that has developed from the archive has united hundreds of grassroots advocates, scholars, educators and civic leaders from nearly every state in the United States. It’s Our Story began as a father-son media project centering on the late Ed Roberts—a man often referred to as the “father of disability rights.” The project allowed both Scott Cooper and his son Eric Clow to come to terms with their own disabilities and, in the process, transformed their view of others with disabilities.

“In time, this humble high school history day project developed into the most comprehensive disability video oral history project in the United States.”

During the past nine years, Scott Cooper has driven over 160,000 miles, collecting the personal testimonies of people from over 200 locations. Since its inception in 2005, It’s Our Story has interviewed 1,300 people across America from the disability community and has received 20,000 hours of volunteer support. Advancing Towards Equality

“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” ~ Helen Keller

It’s Our Story opens a doorway through which members of the disability community can access history like never before. We envision an online archive that offers a fully accessible and public database that includes thousands of critical video interviews, photos, and documents to preserve our past as we plan our future. We anticipate the 20,000 informational clips featured in IOS Archives to impact and inspire areas including:

Leadership

People from all backgrounds will recognize aspects of themselves in these video histories, stories, and lessons. Such a sense of identification may prompt many viewers to pursue leadership roles in their own communities. Employment

People with and without disabilities will develop the 21st Century Workforce Skills by assembling projects for implementation in education, outreach, and social media. This influx of new media will, in turn, create new opportunities in media and communications accessibility for all. Attitudes

The general public will come to understand that those of us with disabilities share the same dreams, hopes, fears that connect all participants to the human experience. Viewers and interview subjects of the It’s Our Story project are united by a desire for a meaningful and productive life. Society

Policymakers will acquire knowledge that may measurably improve the lives of people with disabilities. Additionally, such leaders may be more inspired to partner with people with disabilities when crafting and developing programs that impact the disability community. Education

Researchers, students, teachers, and trainers will use the archive for educational projects, training, and curriculum that call upon a need for primary source content related to disability history and social issues. Profile of Archives

The It’s Our Story archives burst with insights from members of national disability organizations, federal agencies, and nationally recognized academic institutions, as well as with regional perspectives from state governors’ councils on disability, mayors’ offices on disability, and local affiliates of national organizations. These voices are supplemented by information from a vast array of local grass-root organizations, as well as from laypeople with first-hand disability experience. Over 300 questions, generated by members of the disability community, were asked of It’s Our Story interview subjects in an effort to explore categories such as:

Family and Friends
Medical and Social Attitudes
Employment and Investment
Education and Engagement
Advocacy and Political Strategies
Transitions and Aging
Cultural Perspectives and the Arts
Access and Transportation
Relationships and Intimacy
Disability Characteristics

A Focus on the Future

The next generation of leaders stands to accelerate the progress made by earlier champions of the disability movement. In partnership with A World Enabled—a non-profit dedicated to educating, informing and inspiring youth—the It’s Our Story project looks to embolden and enable leadership and shape the future of disability life. This effort would not have been possible without the efforts of thousands of supporters. It’s Our Story would like to extend its deepest thanks to those who have made this journey possible so far.