Writeability Goes Local

Writeability Goes Local: Latrobe is a series of free writing workshops and author talks, funded by Creative Australia. The program, presented in collaboration with Latrobe City Council and Traralgon Library is specifically developed for writers and aspiring writers with disability. Interested writers and storytellers, as well as support workers and carers for people with disability, and staff from local government, libraries, arts and disability organisations are invited to attend our Own Voices – Why Writing Matters Forum on 30 January to learn more about the program. Following the forum, Local Mentor Jessica Obersby will lead a monthly writers group at Traralgon Library. To join the Latrobe Writers Group which will run 8 monthly sessions at Traralgon Library from February to September 2024, register here.

We are currently accepting EOIs from Local Government Areas across Victoria interested in bringing the Writeability Goes Local to their district. Please email Jess or call (03) 9917 8462 to discuss.

What is Writeability Goes Local?

Writeability Goes Local (WGL) is a nine-month creative writing program for writers and aspiring writers with disability. Based on our successful Writeability Goes Regional and Online program (2017-20), the program is designed for delivery in partnership with local government,  local writers groups, disability, arts and community organisations.

Writeability Goes Local brings writing workshops, a local mentor, guest tutors and a dedicated writers group for people with disability to the place where they live and work. The program recognises that in addition to their disability, disabled writers may also face barriers due to social isolation, economic insecurity, difficulty travelling to city based programs and the assumption that people with disability need other people to tell their stories. The program aims to bring accessible literacy programs and professional development to where they are most needed, and to foster writing networks and writers groups which will continue beyond the formal program. Key to the success of this program is prioritisation of the employment of program officers, presenters, tutors, writers and mentors who identify as people with disability to provide role-models and peer support.

How is Writeability Goes Local run?

The program begins with our Own Voices: Why Writing Matters Forum. The forum presents writing workshops run by writers with disability and explores how writing and storytelling can change the way we think about ourselves, disability and community. After the forum, Writeability Goes Local continues with a series of facilitated writing groups for writers with disability. As well as workshops and author talks, the writers groups access online films and other resources from Writers Victoria.

Writeability Goes Local is a modular program that can be adjusted for the needs of different communities. If you represent an organisation that would like to learn about the cost of the program, please get in touch with program manager Jessica Obersby to discuss how it could work in your community.

Current and previous Writeability Goes Local programs

Writeability Goes Local: Melton

Launched in April 2023, we’re running a Writeability Goes Local partnership with Melton, featuring an Own Voices Forum and Writers Group for writers with disability.

Writeability Goes Local: Whitehorse Manningham Libraries

From May 2023, we’re running a Writeability Goes Local partnership with Whitehorse Manningham Libraries and Manningham Council with funding support from VicHealth Jumpstart! The partnership features an Own Voices Forum and Writers Group for writers with disability.

Writeability Goes Local: Darebin

From August 2022 to September 2023, Writeability Goes Local ran in partnership with the Darebin City Council. Darebin’s Writeability Salon took place in conjunction with the launch of Darebin’s Disability Pride Mural at Preston Library, with writers from the WGL writers group reading from their work.

Writeability Goes Local: Mornington Peninsula

In 2021, Writeability Goes Local: Mornington Peninsula was delivered online as a collaboration between Writers Victoria, Mornington Peninsula Shire and Peninsula Writers Club.