Open Access: Creative ways of sharing research stories Ms Emma Burns & Dr Nancy Salmon Presented at the Nordic Network on Disability Research Bi-Annual Conference, Bergen, Norway May

Aim Using the stories of people with intellectual disabilities transitioning into the community, a stop motion video was created to show how such tools can be used to produce accessible research outputs

Moving Home  International Case Study Republic of Ireland Nova Scotia, Canada Northern Ireland  First Person Accounts Up to 15 interviews with self-advocates at each site

Why? There are many ways to tell life stories. Researchers often use writing, but many people do not read. Using video and images instead of writing is an exciting way to share research stories.

UNCRPD The preamble to the UNCRPD recognises the importance of accessibility “in enabling persons with disabilities to fully enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms” Article 3 Accessibility Article 4 Universal design; new technologies, including information and communications technologies Article 21 Access to information and communication at no extra cost to people with disabilities Article 21 (c) Urging private entities that provide services to the general public, including through the internet, to provide information and services in accessible and usable formats for persons with disabilities Article 9 Access, on an equal basis with others, to information and communications Article 9(2) - promote accessible information and communications technologies … so that they become accessible at minimum cost.

Research Process Ethics Approval then Recruit People Gather Stories Find Answers Tell People What We Learned Decide on Research Question and Design

How?  Research Team  self-advocates, students and researchers  Development  collaborated over 6 months to develop the storyline & design of an animation  a further 6 months to complete the final edit of the animation  a team of one student and one research participant supported by researchers took two months to make a short graphic novel

Producing the Graphic Novel  Interviews summarised  Storyline and storyboard developed by a co-op student  First draft reviewed by the participant  Draft revised and captions added  Second revision by participant  Final version completed

Andrew’s Story Page 1 of 4 Artist: Seamus Harris

Andrew’s Story Page 2 of 4

Andrew’s Story Page 3 of 4

Andrew’s Story Page 4 of 4

Creating the Movie January 2014 Idea came as Nancy watched her niece make a stop motion movie for a school project February 2014 Research team mapped out individual stories from people in Ireland Team designed map that included all the stories in one picture

March-May 2014 Team designed background scene for stop motion Hosted meeting at UL with self-advocates to inform the design Produced background for animation Held second workshop with self-advocates to refine the final design

June – August 2014 Bought an Android tablet Downloaded free apps for stop motion and for taking images by clapping Hosted workshop at UL to design and select characters

June – August 2014 (cont) Created excel spreadsheets showing each year of a life story as one block in the table Started taking photos and editing into a movie format Finished Andrew’s story Premiere of Andrew’s story at UL for a group of self- advocates. They advised the following Andrew needs driving lessons! Use livelier music Keep words in the middle of the screen instead of scrolling up

September –December Finished shooting stop motion January-March Recording of audio with self-advocates Post-production editing Posted movie on YouTube and WordPress site Graphic novel and animation are available on

Technology and materials used  Android tablet with camera and built in voice recorder  Claymation app  YouTube editor  Windows Movie Maker  Craft & scrap paper  Soft modelling clay

What we learned  Benefits Visual depictions deepen the analysis Volunteers acquired social capital Self-advocates contributed to the design & storyline Elicited story-telling from audience

What we learned  Complexities 2 month projection vs 12 month reality improvising with equipment delayed process challenging to manage novice volunteers

Suggestions Look for diverse skill set in volunteers Short catchy storyline (30 sec-2min) Create chapters of a visual book Agree a practical plan and timeline with the team Be willing to use an exit strategy!

Questions and Suggestions…

Resources  The graphic novel and animation are available to view on Nancy’s blog:  Direct link: