Barbados Council for the Disabled

Win prizes and have your say in our 2009 National Literary Competition
By
Sunday 28 February 2010

NATIONAL LITERARY COMPETITION 2009

UNITED NATIONS DAY OF THE DISABLED

December 3rd 2009

Closing date 4:00pm on Friday, February 5th 2010

CRITERIA

The Barbados Council for the Disabled is embarking on a new initiative which seeks to harness the creative writing abilities and skills of Persons with Disabilities(PWD), while providing an opportunity for voices to be heard; voices which are hushed too often.

It is hoped that this inaugural competition would provide Persons with Disabilities with a platform to present their opinions on issues which impact their daily lives, and give the winning person the opportunity to be a part of the rich experience of observing policy making decisions in an international forum.  

FORMAT OF THE COMPETITION

Target Group

The Competition will be opened to Barbadians with Disabilities in two (2) categories

Catagories

Age Groups

16 – 21 years
21 years and over

Disability Definition

Disability classifications are as follows:
Blind and Visually Impaired
Intellectually Impaired
Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Physically Challenged (Mobility)
Mentally Impaired

Entry Media

Persons interested in entering the competition will be invited to prepare a literary entry of prose, drama/play or poetry.

Presentations will be accepted typed, on CD, Audio tape or Braille

The Council’s secretariat will facilitate the transcribing of all necessary submissions

The topics for the literary competition, which are set out below, are based on the UN Millennium Development Goals.

TOPICS

1. Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger

 Persons with Disabilities are more likely to experience extreme poverty. Explore the causes of and solutions for this problem

2. Achieving universal primary education

 “Inclusive primary education” – An elusive goal for Barbadian children with disabilities? Discuss

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

 “Levelling the Playing-Field” – How can women with disabilities empower themselves to play a meaningful role in society?

4. Reduce Child Mortality

 Examine how access to improved healthcare over the decades has reduced Infant Mortality rates in Barbados

5. Improve maternal health

 Describe some of the challenges countries face in improving the maternal health care among women living with disabilities.

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

HIV and AIDS campaigns must also target and deal with the human sexuality of men and women with disabilities. Comment

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

 “A fully accessible Barbados” – Developing a barrier free and sustainable environment for persons with disabilities. Discuss.

8. Develop a global partnership for development

 “Speaking with one voice” - How can disability groups foster international collaboration for the development and empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

Entrants will select ONE of the topics listed above. Only ONE entry is permitted from any entrant.

Competition Time Frame

The competition will be launched on December 3rd 2009 – UN International Day for Persons with Disabilities, and culminate in March 2010– the Month of the Disabled.

Awarding the Winners

The winners in the 16 -21 years and 21 years and over categories will be part of Barbados Council for the Disabled delegation, to attend an International conference in 2010(Conference of State Parties to UN CRPD is proposed). Winners will be a part of the Barbados Council for the Disabled delegation, where they will experience on-going deliberations of key issues relating to persons with disabilities. In addition, attendance at this meeting in 2010 will be even more momentous for the Council since being accredited by the United Nations for full participation and representation at such sessions.

The second place prizes in each category will receive computers with assistive devices if needed, and the third prize winners will awarded bank accounts and training

A special prize will be awarded for the best poetry entry.

Competition Criteria

Following are the criteria agreed to by the Committee:
The Competition is opened to Citizens and Permanent Residents of Barbados, With Disabilities, within the specified age categories

 Age Group – 16 -20 years and, 21 years and over

The Entrant’s work must be original

The entry must be written in Standard English. (The use of dialect is permitted in the context of the writing)

Only one Entry per Entrant will be accepted

Essays and drama should not be less than 750 words, and not exceed 1500 words, for verse, entries must not exceed two A4 pages

Entries must be accompanied by a cover page with the following information clearly printed:
i) Name of Entrant
ii) Age
iii) Address
iv) Telephone number
v) Category of Disability
vi) Title of entry
vii) The Entrant’s signature – An Entrant who is to unable sign, can have an authorised person sign on their behalf

The Board of Directors and staff of the Barbados Council for the Disabled are ot eligible to enter

Entries must be submitted no later than 4:00pm on Friday, February 5th, 2010 and placed in a sealed envelope labelled “BCD UN National Literary Competition 2010.” C/o Barbados Council for the Disabled, Harambee House, Garrison, St. Michael.

The winner will be notified by March 15th 2010.

The awards will be presented at the one of the Council’s major events, which culminates the Month of the Disabled 2010.