Thomas Tallis: Zine Making workshop

We recently delivered a zine-making workshop at a secondary school, that invited participants to explore and question the idea of the “able body.” Working with a mixed group of Year 7 and Year 13 students, we opened the session by asking a simple but complex question: What is the able body?

Students were encouraged to record their thoughts, conversations, and creative processes through zine making. This format allowed space for exploration offering multiple ways to express ideas beyond written or spoken responses alone.

Throughout the workshop, a range of terms and perspectives emerged, including “able-bodied,” “able-bodied-ish,” “unable,” and “differently-abled.” These discussions highlighted how fluid the concept of the able body can be, particularly when considered across different ages and lived experiences.

The session reinforced the value of creative methods in opening up conversations about disability, identity, and language. By focusing on the process over forcing thhe students to come to an answer, the workshop created space for participants to think critically and imaginatively about bodies and difference.

We’re grateful to everyone involved for their support and collaboration, and we look forward to sharing more from this project soon.