NCBC - Short Story Project
Project Description:
Next Chapter Book Club staff completed a compendium of fourteen original "Hi-Lo" (reading material for people with a high interest in reading who require a lower reading level) short stories for NCBC members, as well as other adults with and without IDD who are not necessarily NCBC members. We identified the need for fiction of this kind through numerous anecdotes as well as three professionally conducted focus groups. Participants in these focus groups (n=24) expressed the need for stories and plays with simpler, more accessible language, while addressing adult topics such as getting along with roommates and co-workers, romantic relationships, taking responsibility for your health, etc.
With the guidance of these groups, we wrote twelve short stories and two plays that are fun/entertaining and relevant for our readers. We have entered into a contract with Woodbine House Publishers, and we expect the book of stories/plays to be published in fall 2012.
Project Goal: To provide NCBC members and other adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with enjoyable reading material that is written in simple language and deals with adult topics of interest.
Objective 1: To determine topics and themes related to employment, health/wellness, and community living that are of interest to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Objective 2: To develop 12-15 short stories based on identified topics and themes pertaining to employment, health/wellness, and community living.
Objective 3: To disseminate the stories throughout the Next Chapter Book Club network and the disability community.
Keyword(s):
short story, hi-lo fiction, literacy, book club, social, community inclusio
Core Function(s):
Training Trainees, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Quality of Life
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
