ABC is looking for storytellers for International Day of People with Disability

Are you an emerging content maker with disability? Do you have a burning story that you have always wanted to research and explore?

The ABC is partnering with International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) to recognise the 5.5 million Australians with disability.

A series of factual stories and content will be commissioned by the ABC to be published and broadcast across ABC platforms for IDPwD on December 3.

This year, we are calling on content makers with disability to produce stories covering a range of important topics. For example, from the importance of involving people with disability in designing AI and media solutions to the under-representation of people with disability in senior business, political and board leadership in Australia.

We would also love to hear from content creators in regional and remote Australia about the issues that matter to them.

While we highly value stories that highlight lived experience, we encourage content makers to also explore a diverse range of topics that reflect their interests.

We are particularly interested in hearing from First Nations, regionally based, culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQIA+ content creators.

All content makers involved in the program will be paid for their work.

Who can apply?

To be eligible, you must live in Australia, be over 18, have lived experience of disability, and be available to work on your content between August 2026 and May 2027.

What to pitch?

We want you to pitch a non-fiction, original story idea.

It could be an issue affecting your community, a stereotype you want to dispel or an attitude you want to challenge.

For example, Eli Sutherland wrote about the joys and challenges of connecting to nature as a person with disability.

Comedian, actor and advocate Loz Booth partnered with Play School and ABC Sport to produce a series of social media reels addressing disability representation on Australian screens and highlighting barriers within para sports.

Paralympian Tom O'Neill-Thorne produced and presented content on several topics for ABC TV Darwin, including a news story on a new program for aspiring para-athletes in regional areas.

Australian composer, orchestrator and arranger Georgia Scott interviewed composer Sonnet Curé (ABC's Headliners) and flautist Lamorna Nightingale (Ensemble Offspring and Artistic Director of Backstage Music) for ABC Classic to explore how classical music can become more inclusive.

What are we looking for?

When you pitch your story idea you will need to select a format that best suits what you want to do.

The ABC is looking for story ideas that fit the following formats:

• Video: 2–3-minute short-form video
• Audio: 2–3-minute audio package
• Digital article: An 800-word feature article
• Social media: An Instagram, TikTok or Facebook story, reel or a photo essay

How to apply

Fill in the form below by midnight Wednesday, July 8, telling us about your idea, what format you'd like to use and your previous content-making experience.

Please note: you do not need to produce the content, just share your idea.

If you're successful you will work with an ABC producer for a period between August 2026 and May 2027 to produce the story.

If you have any difficulties filling out the following form, or any questions about the application process, please email us at ABCInclusive@abc.net.au.