This project builds on the success of the Web-Spinning online Writers’ Group 2020. That initiative established a group of disabled writers from Leitrim and surrounding areas, using online spaces to share, develop and strengthen their creative voices through a variety of creative writing practices. The group itself came up with the idea to publish an anthology of their writing, in print and electronic formats, to showcase the diversity and innovation of creative disabled voices.

The experience of lock-down has been different for many disabled people than for our non-disabled peers. Some of us have lived in “lock-down” long before it was a state response to a pandemic. The societal shift to online work has presented positive opportunities for many disabled people, even those in wifi blackspots. As a result, the last 12 months has seen a flourishing of disabled activism across Ireland, with communities forming where isolation once reigned.

Web-Spinning Online Writers’ Group was part of this new wave of community-building. This development of the project seeks to build on that new-found creative capacity, and bring rich new voices to the Irish literary landscape.This will once again be technically supported by Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI). 

These sessions will continue to be facilitated by artist Isolde ÓBrolcháin Carmody, with potential for inviting established disabled writers to support the members in developing their work.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.