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
Since August 2022, Writeability Goes Local has been running in partnership with the Darebin City Council.
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.