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- Tasks: Submit original poetry exploring disability, identity, and empowerment.
- Company: Our Right to Thrive, a project led by disabled artist Ivan Riches.
- Benefits: Chance to be published online and win cash prizes.
- Why this job: Share your voice and experiences while celebrating disability pride.
- Qualifications: Open to disabled poets at any stage of their writing journey.
- Other info: Accessible competition with support for diverse submission formats.
Our Right to Thrive (ORTT) is a creative writing and multimedia poetry project led by disabled artist Ivan Riches. The initiative is for disabled writers and focuses on building community, sharing experiences of ableism, and using poetry and stories to support empowerment. Through webinars with disabled speakers and an ORTT blog, the project explores disability pride, challenges discrimination, and celebrates disabled people’s right to thrive.
We invite disabled poets to submit original poetry exploring disability, identity, justice, resistance, and thriving. We aim to publish poetry submissions on the Our Right to Thrive blog. Alongside the offer to publish your poetry online, we are also offering three prizes for poems on the theme of ‘our right to thrive’:
- First prize: £100
- Second prize: £50
- Third prize: £25
The competition seeks poems that speak honestly, creatively, and powerfully about disabled lives – in all their complexity. We welcome work from poets of all backgrounds, at any stage of their writing journey, and across all forms and styles of poetry.
Themes
Poems may respond to one or more of the following themes:
- Lived Experience: What it means to be disabled in a mostly non-disabled society. This can include daily life, identity, visibility and invisibility, hidden disabilities, belonging, survival, and joy.
- Barriers and Systems: Poems exploring lack of financial, structural, educational, or employment support, and the systems that create or maintain inequality for disabled people.
- Power, Politics, and Protest: Poems responding to government decisions, proposed cuts, policy, and their personal and collective impact on disabled people.
- Reclaiming the Narrative: Poems about resistance, breaking down barriers, changing perceptions, disabled people’s contributions to society, community, hope, pride, and what it means to thrive rather than merely survive.
What we are Looking For
We’re looking for poetry that is:
- Honest and original
- Politically aware or deeply personal (or both)
- Angry, tender, defiant, joyful, or reflective
- Rooted in lived experience
There is no “right” way to write about disability – all voices, styles, and approaches are welcome.
Requirements
Poems must be original. If the poems have been previously published, you will be asked to provide details. We will accept up to 2 poems per person. Poems must be a minimum of 5 lines and a maximum of 25 lines each. Poets must be based in the UK.
Accessibility
We are committed to making this competition as accessible as possible. If you need any adjustments or would prefer to submit in a format that’s more accessible for you, please contact us at admin@disabilityarts.online or 07751 175389. All selected poems responding to the above submission themes will be published on the DAO ‘Our Right To Thrive’ blog. Please note we cannot guarantee that we can faithfully replicate complex non-linear or visual poetry layouts. If enough poems are sent into the Our Right To Thrive competition, DAO will look to publish an ‘Our Right To Thrive’ anthology via an online digital platform.
Judging Criteria
All poems will be read with care and respect. Judges will be looking for:
- A clear, original voice – poems that feel honest and true to the writer
- Connection to the themes – thoughtful responses to lived experience, barriers, resistance, pride, or thriving
- Effective use of language – purposeful word choices, imagery, rhythm, or form (traditional or experimental)
- Emotional impact – poems that move, challenge, or stay with the reader
- Overall strength – how well the poem works as a complete piece
What We Value
We are not looking for “perfect” poems. We value honesty, creativity, risk‑taking, and lived experience over technical polish. Poems may be raw, experimental, political, gentle, or celebratory. All styles and approaches are welcome. All poems will be read with care and respect by poets Ivan Riches and Kuli Kohli.
Submission
Please upload your poem via the online submission form. Submissions close on 23 February 2026. Final decisions will be made during March 2026.
Call for Submissions: Our Right to Thrive Poetry Competition employer: Disability Arts
Contact Detail:
Disability Arts Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Call for Submissions: Our Right to Thrive Poetry Competition
✨Tip Number 1
Get involved in the community! Attend webinars and events related to disability and poetry. This not only helps you connect with like-minded individuals but also gives you insights into what resonates with others, which can inspire your own writing.
✨Tip Number 2
Don’t be shy about sharing your work! Use social media platforms to showcase your poetry and engage with other poets. Tagging relevant hashtags can help you reach a wider audience and potentially catch the eye of judges or publishers.
✨Tip Number 3
Make sure to read the winning poems from previous competitions. This will give you a feel for what judges are looking for and help you understand how to craft your submission to stand out. Plus, it’s a great way to get inspired!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your submission is received correctly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the competition and any updates we might have. Don’t miss out on the chance to share your voice!
We think you need these skills to ace Call for Submissions: Our Right to Thrive Poetry Competition
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your poem, let your true voice shine through. We want to hear your honest experiences and feelings about disability, so don’t hold back! Remember, there’s no 'right' way to express yourself.
Stick to the Guidelines: Make sure your poem meets the requirements: original work, between 5 to 25 lines, and focused on the themes we've outlined. This helps us ensure that your submission fits perfectly with what we're looking for!
Edit Thoughtfully: Take some time to revise your poem before submitting. Think about the language you use and how it connects to the themes of lived experience and resistance. A well-crafted piece can really make an impact!
Submit Online: We encourage you to submit your poem through our online form. It’s quick and easy, and ensures your work gets to us safely. Plus, it’s a great way to join our community of writers!
How to prepare for a job interview at Disability Arts
✨Know Your Themes
Familiarise yourself with the themes outlined in the competition. Think about how your poetry connects to lived experiences, barriers, and the idea of thriving. This will help you articulate your thoughts clearly during the interview.
✨Be Authentic
When discussing your work, be honest and true to your voice. Share your personal journey and how it influences your writing. Authenticity resonates well with judges and shows your commitment to the themes.
✨Prepare Your Poems
Have your poems ready for discussion. Be prepared to explain your creative process, the inspiration behind your pieces, and how they relate to the competition's focus on disability and empowerment.
✨Engage with the Community
Show your interest in the community aspect of the project. Discuss how you see your work contributing to the dialogue around disability and ableism. Engaging with the community can demonstrate your passion and commitment to the cause.
