Shout it loud: People with Disability Australia is inviting LGBTQIA+ people with disability across Australia to enter a new creative storytelling competition that seeks real, diverse voices to challenge stigma and boost inclusion , prizes, public voting and multiple formats make it easy to tell your story your way.

Essential takeaways

  • Who can enter: LGBTQIA+ people with disability, 18+, living in Australia, entering as individuals.
  • When it runs: Opens 1 September 2026 and closes 25 October 2026 at 11:59pm AEST; late entries won’t be accepted.
  • What to submit: Anything creative , writing, video, Auslan, music, performance, visual art, mixed media or more.
  • Prizes on offer: First $2,500, Second $2,000, Third $1,500 and a People’s Choice prize of $1,500 via public vote.
  • Rights and use: You keep copyright, but PWDA can display and promote entries royalty-free with credit.

Why this competition matters , it's about visibility and change

This competition is more than a call for art; it’s part of People with Disability Australia’s Community Attitudes project, a national awareness and education programme aimed at building inclusion in workplaces and communities. The emphasis on lived experience gives entries immediate civic weight , your story could be used in schools, workplaces or public campaigns. Submissions that feel honest, specific and textured tend to land hardest; a short video of someone speaking quietly about a turning point can be just as powerful as a bold mural or a poem.

Who should think about entering , and how to decide your format

If you identify as LGBTQIA+ and have a disability, this is explicitly for you. PWDA is casting a wide creative net, so pick the medium that best carries your voice: written pieces suit nuanced reflection, video or performance works are great for personality and presence, and Auslan videos make language access central. Practical tip: consider accessibility at every stage , add captions, transcripts or audio descriptions where possible to widen your audience and the chance of selection.

Practical entry details , deadlines, prizes and the fine print

Mark the dates: entries open at midnight AEST on 1 September 2026 and close at 11:59pm AEST on 25 October 2026. Judges will announce First, Second and Third by 16 November, and the People’s Choice winner by 1 December after public voting. Prizes are paid to a nominated bank account. Note the rights clause: you retain copyright, but by entering you grant PWDA ongoing, royalty-free permission to display and promote your work with a credit. Read the full terms and conditions before you submit so there are no surprises.

How to make your entry stand out , craft, clarity and community

Stand-out entries tell a clear story and respect craft. Whether you’re submitting a short film, a comic, music or a performance recording, hone a single through-line: what moment changed you, what everyday reality should others see, or what misconception do you want to unsettle? Keep works accessible and shareable , short, emotionally true pieces often get the public vote. And don’t forget to include contact details and a short creator statement explaining context and intent.

Where your work might travel , reach and impact beyond the contest

According to PWDA, winning and shortlisted works may be displayed online, in print, at exhibitions and events connected to the Community Attitudes project. That means an entry could reach workplaces, schools and national campaigns seeking to shift attitudes. Think of this as both an artistic opportunity and a civic platform: your piece could help reshape conversations about disability and LGBTQIA+ inclusion across Australia.

It's a small change that can make every story heard a little louder.

Source Reference Map

Story idea inspired by: [1]

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