Only one in four Victorians with disability participate in regular sport and recreation. Victorian organisation Disability Sport and Recreation wants to see participation rates improve. The group says there are many benefits to people with a disability. People's social, physical and mental wellbeing is dramatically improved if they participate in regular sport and recreation. The likelihood of chronic disease is also lessened.

Disability Sport and Recreation is running an unusual competition to help spread the word and reduce the gap in health inequality. The organisation is offering a cash prize of $2000 to the creator of the best community advertisement. The organisation says it decided to run the competition to engage the community about the importance of diversity and inclusion. The competition is part of an awareness campaign focussing on sport and recreation opportunities for Victorians with disability.

Challenge ideas

Disability Sport and Recreation Manager Jared Foster says he hopes the campaign will challenge the preconceived ideas around people with a disability. He also hopes it will highlight the importance of healthy living.

The 30-second advertisement should show that action is needed to provide sport and recreation opportunities for all Victorians with a disability. It should help spread the message that the gap in the health of Victorians with and without a disability is not acceptable.

Mr Foster says budding advertising whizzes should think outside the square if they want to capture the judges attention in the competition. The advertisement should also focus on ability, not disability. Mr Foster also recommends creating something that will help challenge people's opinions.

More information

The deadline to submit an expression of interest to enter the competition is August 31. Entrants must then submit a 30 second advertisement by October 3.

More information can be found on the Disability Sport and Recreation website (opens new window). You can also email info@dsr.org.au (opens new window).

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