"Telling Your Story" iPad App

"Telling Your Story" is a tool that persons with disabilities, family members, and other advocates can use to compose and practice the personal story they'll present to elected public officials or other policymakers at all levels of government when seeking policy changes or increasing awareness about disability issues. The app guides users through the steps, from introducing yourself to identifying the specific issue to the best methods for presenting a compelling personal story. After entering the text of their story, an audio recording feature allows the user to rehearse their story. Users can also select and preview a photo they may wish to include.

You can view the app in the iTunes Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/telling-your-story/id541403749.

To use all the features of this app, an iPad 2 or newer is required.

Important Notice: The recent Apple update to iOS 8 has caused crashing issues in the iPhone and iPad versions of the "Telling Your Story" and "Autism Help! (5-Point Emergency Planning)" apps. If you have these apps installed and have updated your device to iOS 8, we are aware of the issues and will be issuing an update soon. Users of iOS 7 and earlier may continue to use the app with no problems. A separate notice will be issued when the iOS 8 compatible update is available at the iTunes App Store. Google Play and Kindle versions are unaffected.

We welcome comments and questions about this app. Address your feedback to admin.dd@state.mn.us.

From the app's home screen, select "Tony Coelho's Story," "Example Stories," or begin creating your own story.	Represenative Tony Coelho relates his compelling story in video testimony. Touch "close" to return to the home screen.
Sixteen examples of stories by real-life self-advocates can be viewed from this screen.	Begin creating you own story here. Follow the prompts and type in your text. Remember to include the question or topic in your composition. Once you're satisfied with your written story, use the audio recording feature to record yourself reading aloud each piece of your story. Re-record yourself as many times as you like to impove your performance.
Browse your tablet's photo gallery to select a photo you may wish to include with your story (You can share it by email from your photo gallery). You can also use the built-in camera to take a photo of yourself (iPad 2 or newer).	Once you've completed filling in all the parts of your story, the complete text will appear on the final screen. If you like, go back and edit the text of your story and updated text will appear here. You can also play back your recordings here. If you skipped a recording you'll be prompted to go back and make a recording.
Now that your story is complete, send it by email to save it or make further edits.