The big picture
We'd like some help in compiling a photographic library of people with a learning disability. We'd like to use this library to help share good practice and promote the work of ARC and our membership organisations within the learning disability sector.
We're looking for a range of images that show people with a learning disability in a positive light - living, working, interacting, making friends and having fun in a variety of environments and being involved in all aspects of their lives and their communities.
Once we have created this photo library we'd like it to be a resource we can use to produce leaflets, publications, training materials and websites; to help communicate the good work we are doing.
We'd also like it to become a tool for people with a learning disability to express themselves and share their views of the world or maybe voice their opinions on issues - a picture after all, speaks a thousand words - as well as an opportunity to develop a new skill and interest.
We realise that developing such a resource may take some time, so to help get things off the ground we have decided to hold our first photo competition. The ARC Focus photo competition 08 is our search for the best photos of people with a learning disability living their lives. In this search we hope to identify two outstanding examples, upon which we can bestow both our accolade and our prizes. These prizes (one to be awarded for the best photo from a person with a learning disability and the other to the best photo from a service provider) will be a £50.00 voucher to spend at the shop of your choice.
To help inspire the creative talents we know are out there, we have devised three categories we'd like entrants to consider. These are:
The photos received under each category will then be shortlisted and put forward for final judging by delegates at the ARC Annual Conference in November.
How to enter
We’d prefer it if entries were in a digital format, sent as a JPEG attachment on an email to Nic Pattison our Information Officer. These entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form (downloadable here or available on request from Nic), outlining the name and details of the person who took the photo, the organisation as applicable, and also a few short sentences describing the image.
Please note: Because we may use these images for publicity purposes we need your permission to do so. It is important to be aware that entry into our competition will mean permission has been granted (see entry form). It’s also important that you have the consent of the people in the photographs too. Space is provided on the entry form for you to clarify this. To help with this we have prepared an accessible photo consent form for you to download here. If you have any queries or would like further information regarding the competition or the work of ARC please contact Nic Pattison.
We will accept printed photos for the competition, and will endeavour to return them. However, please be aware that if we receive a high number of entries this may not always be possible. Please address all postal entries to:
‘Focus Competition’,
c/o Nic Pattison ARC,
ARC House,
Marsden Street,
Chesterfield,
Derbyshire S40 1JY