Writeability Goes Online: Forum

Details

Part one of the forum, Why Writing Matters, provides professional development on the Social Model of Disability and best practice language for support workers and carers for people with disability, and staff from local government, libraries, arts and disability organisations.

After lunch, part two of the forum, Own Voices, explores how language, writing and telling our own stories helps transform ways of thinking about ourselves, disability and our community. It also introduces the program’s online mentor Roz Bellamy, who will facilitate the Writers Group, scheduled to run for eight sessions over the coming months. 

Writers with disability at all levels of experience are invited to submit an expression of interest for the Writers Group via Submittable. If this is not accessible for you, please email [email protected] for an alternative way to submit. 

About the Forum 

By bridging the gap between mainstream arts and disability communities, the Forum uses writing to break down barriers to social inclusion, helping people with disability develop their skills and tell their stories their way. 

In our morning session, Why Writing Matters, you will: 

• Develop your understanding of disability
• Examine the Social Model of Disability
• Explore disability representation in literature
• Explore how telling our own stories helps transform ways of thinking about ourselves, disability and our community
• Look at ways to write about disability from your own, lived experience
• Take part in writing activities.

For support workers, carers and organisations, this session provides: 

• Disability awareness training
• A deeper understanding of the importance of creativity and Own Voice stories for people with disability.

In our afternoon session, Own Voices, you will: 

• Meet online mentor Roz Bellamy
• Learn more about the online writers group
• Take part in a range of writing activities, including warm-ups, prompts and other writing activities.

About the Forum Presenters:

Jax Brown

Jax Brown (they/them) is an esteemed disability and LGBTQIA+ rights activist, writer, educator and consultant. Their tireless commitment to LGBTIQA+ disability human rights and advocacy has been recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). Jax utilises their experience as a queer, trans and wheelchair user to explore intersectional identities. They view disability as a socio-political issue of intersectional equality, access and human rights. Their work has been published widely online and in the following anthologies: Queer Disability Anthology (2015), QueerStories (2018), Kindred (2019), Growing up Queer in Australia (2019) and We’ve Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents (2022). Jax is interested in how we can build resilience, pride and community for LGBTIQA+ disabled people.

Nicole Smith is a writer, wheelchair user, coffee addict, AFL footy fan and improviser. She has a blog where she interviews social entrepreneurs: www.blankpagesandemptyspaces.com. She has a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and a Graduate Diploma of English from La Trobe University. Nicole won a Writeability Fellowship from Writers Victoria. Nicole was Local Mentor for Writers Victoria’s Storming the City Creative Writing Program at The Wheeler Centre in 2022. 

Not a Member?

Members of Writers Victoria receive up to 37% off the full price of our workshops, seminars and courses. In addition, members have access to a range of other discounts and opportunities and receive a subscription to 'The Victorian Writer' magazine. Memberships start from just $50. Find out more about becoming a member here.

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