Writing in any form is a challenge. To do so when you are faced with a disability presents an extra layer of difficulty.
Since April this year, a diverse group of local writers with a range of disabilities has been meeting once a month at the Shepparton Library to work with Melbourne-based writer and teacher, Chris Thompson as part of the Writers Victoria WriteAbility programme.
This group of a dozen or more writers, both young and old, work with Chris to develop skills in writing of all forms, and to share what they’ve been working on. In addition to their skills development, each session includes an opportunity for the writers to have their work read aloud to the group and to engage in conversations about it.
Chris, presenter of Behind the Scenes, the weekly arts and culture programme on Vision Australia Radio recorded a special show in the Shepparton studio of Vision Australia Radio that introduced each of the WriteAbility writers and gave them the opportunity to have their stories recorded for broadcast to an audience that will also include listeners in Adelaide and Perth.
Three actors from the recently formed Shepparton based theatre company, Upstart Productions read the stories. The Shepparton-based Goulburn project has been supported by Goulburn Regional Libraries (Shepparton Branch), Vision Australia Radio (Shepparton), Upstart Productions and Writers Victoria.
