Video is being utilized as a powerful advocacy tool. Both professional and amateur filmmakers are using the power of video to change the world around them for the better. Videos are beneficial for advocacy campaigns because they are a simple and efficient way to convey the main points of an idea or project to many people. Advocacy through video comes in many forms and lengths, including documentaries, vlogs, interviews, webinars, and live streams, just to name a few. Often, the most powerful are direct testimony of people with lived experience. Below you will find links to several different types of videos.

Did you know that the Council has a YouTube channel? We recently uploaded an updated “About Us” video that was filmed in 2023.

Please take a moment to go check out our channel and all the content we have shared.

Share Your Ideas

Do you have an idea for a video that would provide needed information or support to Arkansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities, or their family members? Please send an email to [email protected] and tell us about your idea.

Videos From Community Partners

Recently, one of our Council members, Kasey Hodges, shared some videos with us that she created for the Self-Advocate Advisory Council at Arkansas Support Network. This group of advocates voted to allow the GCDD to share these videos on our website.

Here is a link to a video about feeling respected vs disrespected. In this video, individuals with disabilities share how they would feel in different real-life situations or scenarios.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AmFg-oVZnK4cEPoCWQh_v-KxnXIvCLTo/view?usp=sharing

Here is a link to a video full of online safety tips.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iREbMO1BYJvVEpNv-Y2yI5ZMcYDnE7Es/view?usp=sharing

Next Steps

Now that you have read about using video as an advocacy tool and seen examples of different types of videos, what is the next step? Do you want to try this type of advocacy? What do you need to make a video? Here are a few things to think about before you start:

• equipment (a smartphone, a camera that can record video, a microphone, lighting)
• plan (what is your idea or the subject you want to cover? create an outline and a script)
• research (talk to others who have experience making videos, talk to experts on the topic you want to cover)
• know your audience

I will leave you with one last video. This one was filmed a few years ago but has great information on interacting with people with disabilities. The video features GCDD Council members and other advocates from the community. Filming the video was lots of fun and that is what I want to end with – just have fun with your videos. Keep creating and advocating!

You can learn more about what the Council advocates for and our priority issues here!