Start 2026 With an Ability Storytellings Keynote or Workshop
When a new year begins, organizations love talking about “fresh starts,” “better culture,” and “renewed commitment to inclusion.” But here’s the truth:
You cannot create an inclusive space easily or fully, if you’ve never truly listened to disabled voices.
And most workplaces — even well‑intentioned ones — haven’t had that opportunity. That’s why 2026 needs an accessibility wake‑up call. Not the kind that shames. The kind that opens eyes, softens assumptions, and helps people understand disability in a way that policies and training sessions never could. That’s where Ability Storytellings comes in.
What Is Ability Storytellings?
Ability Storytellings is our keynote and workshop service — a way for organizations, schools, conferences, and community groups to learn directly from lived experience. Our talks focus on:
disability
accessibility
caregiving
communication
real barriers and real solutions
the human side of inclusion
But more than anything, we tell the truth. The kind of truth that sparks empathy, connection, and actual change.
Because change doesn’t happen from checklists. It happens from stories.
Why Your Team Needs This Keynote
Most people have never heard a disabled woman speak honestly about her life. Many have never heard a caregiver share what the world looks like from behind the scenes. Almost no one is taught what accessibility feels like — emotionally, socially, and practically. Ability Storytellings changes that.
Our keynote:
challenges stereotypes without pity
replaces assumptions with understanding
teaches organizations what inclusion really requires
brings disability and caregiving out of the shadows
proves that communication is about connection, not perfection
shows what belonging looks like in real life
This is the kind of learning that sticks. The kind that people talk about long after the event.
What Makes This Keynote Different
Lived experience leads the room: Patricia shares her story as a disabled woman — openly, honestly, and powerfully. She also speaks with a speech impairment, and we do not “translate” her voice. We invite audiences to listen differently, not demand perfection. Representation isn’t about sounding like everyone else. It’s about being heard.
Caregiving isn’t an invisible role: Jen shares the realities of caregiving that most people never see — and how accessibility, trust, and patience shape every part of our life and work.
We are Indigenous‑owned. Storytelling is part of our identity. It’s how we connect, teach, and build community. It’s how we show people what inclusion looks like through a cultural lens.
We talk about the moments that shaped us, such as:
Growing up with a disability.
Navigating systems not made for us.
Losing a mother at 22.
Carrying grief.
Beginning again.
Finding independence.
Finding voice.
Learning what accessibility means when it’s personal — not theoretical.
These stories stay with people. They create clarity — then commitment — then change.
The Keynote: The Power of Ability: A Story of Courage, Care, and Connection
This keynote invites people into our world:
the barriers we’ve faced
how we’ve begun again, again, and again
how we navigate disability daily
what we don’t talk about in caregiving
what inclusion actually feels like
what workplaces need to understand (and unlearn)
how small changes can make a big difference
It is honest. Sometimes humorous. Always human. Forever impactful. People leave with a shifted mindset — and a willingness to do better.
Book or learn more here.
Why January Is the Time to Book
January sets the tone for the entire year. If you want:
a more inclusive workplace
better communication
stronger accessibility practices
more confidence around disability
deeper empathy
and a culture that understands lived experience…then you need to start with the right voices in the room.
Starting 2026 with an Ability Storytellings keynote means:
you lead with learning
you lead with perspective
you lead with truth
and your inclusion work becomes grounded in real human experience
A Free Accessibility Reflection Tool
To help organizations begin the conversation, we’re offering a free Accessibility Reflection Tool — a simple, honest self‑assessment for individuals, leaders and teams who want to understand where they are and how they can grow.
It’s the first step in waking up to what inclusion really requires. Take the reflection here.
Begin Your Year the Right Way
If you want 2026 to be the year your organization moves beyond awareness and into action, this is your moment. Start with the voices that have lived the reality. Start with stories that open hearts. Start with the truth.
Book your Ability Storytellings keynote or workshop today. Give your team the accessibility wake‑up call they need — and the ability to begin again.
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Disclaimer - The Ability Company
The opinions shared in our blogs reflect personal experiences and viewpoints. They’re not meant to represent every journey or replace professional advice.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional advice. The Ability Company makes no guarantees about accuracy or completeness and is not liable for decisions made based on this content. Use at your own discretion.
