“There needs to be more people with disability telling our stories across all types of media. Telling our own stories educates, reduces stigma, pity, exploitation and sensationalism, and raises the level of expectation that society has about people with disability” – Writeability tutor Carly Findlay
Our award-winning Writeability program began as a partnership between Writers Victoria and Arts Access Victoria.
Writeability supports disabled writers wanting to develop their skills and writing careers.
The program aims to remove some of the barriers that have traditionally prevented people who identify as disabled from connecting with writing and publishing. It provides tools and information to support disabled writers who want to tell their own stories in their own way.
The Writeability ethos has been based on the importance of self-told stories, disability-leadership and peer support, and the creation of opportunities for even the quietest voices to be heard.
If you self-identify as a disabled person or as someone who experiences barriers as a result of an impairment or condition, then Writeability is for you.
Our projects and activities change every year. Visit our calendar for upcoming events.
Interested in offering Writeability to your local community?
We deliver the Writeability program in partnership with local government, local writers groups, disability, arts and community organisations. We can adapt the program to suit your needs and budget. Find out more by emailing [email protected].
Use of identity-first language
Writers Victoria intentionally uses identity-first language: disabled writer rather than writer with disability. Our decision is informed by the social model of disability, which views people as being disabled by structures of society, (such as inaccessible environments, or people’s attitudes), rather than physical or cognitive differences. We are aware that, for many people, using the term “disabled” conveys a sense of pride and community. We acknowledge that the decision to use either identity-first or person-first language is a personal one, and our Writeability programs teach and encourage discussion around the social model of disability.
“Your voice is needed. We need disabled writers writing poetry, novels, essays, picture books, articles, blog posts and tweets. We need disabled characters that reflect the reality of our lives. We need to write ourselves on to every page and platform until our voices are heard” – Writeability tutor Jessica Walton
Writeability Goes Local
Writeability Goes Local is our new creative writing program for writers and aspiring writers with disability across the state. Based on our Writeability Goes Regional and Online program, the program is designed for delivery in partnership with local government, local writers groups, disability, arts and community organisations. If you would like Writeability Goes Local to come to your local government area, please get in touch.
Writeability Goes Regional and Online
2017-2020
Writeability Goes Regional and Online was a three-year program for aspiring writers with disability living in regional Victoria. Our Writeability Goes Regional and Online program ran in Ballarat, Bendigo, Moe, Sale, Horsham, Wodonga, Shepparton and Mildura . Writeability writers groups which began with this program continue to run independently in Bendigo, Moe and Sale.
Storming the City
Storming the City is a Writeability program designed to see writers with disability recognised, celebrated and employed in the City of Melbourne, and is funded by the City of Melbourne via their Arts and Creative Investments Partnership program.
Writeability Fellowships
The 2023 Writeability Fellows were:
- Grace Hall
- Erin Scudder
- Texta Queen
Writeability Newsletter
Our monthly email is full of information about the Writeability program and other arts opportunities for people with disability. Sign up to receive the email here.
Writeability Resources
The Writers Victoria website has a wealth of writing resources including videos, podcasts, anthologies, articles, Q&As and stories to share.
WV welcomes deaf writers
See our below video for an introduction to this website in Auslan. This video was produced by Sign Language Video Productions thanks to the support of Arts Access Australia.
Accessibility
You can read more about how to use this website or find information about building access and how to get here.
Or contact us for more information.
With thanks
The Writeability program began as a partnership between Writers Victoria and Arts Access Victoria. Writeability is made possible by the generous support of Creative Australia, Grace Marion Wilson Trust and the City of Melbourne.


