The forum is for people with disability in Sale and the Outer Gippsland NDIS region, as well as arts and community development workers, disability and health service providers, teachers, local councils and libraries.
When we say that Write-ability is a program for people with disability, we mean that it's for anyone who experiences barriers as a result of their particular impairment or condition (such as the lack of physical access, communication barriers, discrimination or other people’s attitudes).
This includes (but isn't limited to) people with sensory or physical impairments, hidden impairments, ongoing medical conditions, intellectual impairments, learning difficulties or mental health conditions. If you self identify as a person with disability, or as someone who experiences barriers as a result of your condition, then this opportunity is for you.
By bridging the gap between mainstream arts and disability communities, the Own Voices Forum will use writing to break down barriers to social inclusion and give people with disability the skills and opportunity to tell their stories their way.
Michelle Roger is a blogger and speaker, and writes about Dysautonomia and life as a disabled woman. Her work has appeared in ‘The Victorian Writer’ and ‘Kill Your Darlings’ and online for Writers Victoria, ABC RampUp and multiple support groups. Michelle received a Write-ability Fellowship in 2014 and was a panellist at the Emerging Writers Festival in 2016 and has performed at several Writers Victoria Salons. Michelle blogs at www.livingwithbob.com and tweets at @rustyhoe.
The Own Voices Forum is part of Write-ability Goes Regional and Online, one of the only fully accessible and inclusive writing and literary initiatives in Australia.
Following the forum, the program will include workshops, author talks and webinars for people with disability interested in writing and building writing skills for creativity and enjoyment. Watch this space for more information coming soon.
Special Offer: People with disability in the Outer Gippsland NDIS region can also get 30% off a Writers Victoria membership before the end of October 2018. Find out more here.