( Added: November 2, 2009 )  - The University of Iowa Council on Disability Awareness is sponsoring a writing contest, "Voices of Disability," to encourage creative writing that explores and illuminates topics around the word "disability."

All University of Iowa faculty, staff and students - as well as residents of the Johnson County Corridor -- are encouraged to submit writings of 1,500 words or fewer. All entries must be submitted electronically.

There can be only one entry per person, and organizers emphasize that participants do not have to have a disability to enter the contest. Submissions are due Dec. 1. There is no entrance fee. Writers 18 and older will be considered for the adult prizes, while participants 17 and younger are placed in the youth category.

One winner will be selected for each of the following categories: adult prose, adult poetry, youth prose and youth poetry. First-place awards will bring a prize of $150; second and third places will include $75 and $25 prizes, respectively. Winners will be announced in January.

For more information, visit http://www.uiowa.edu/~cda/announcements.html or contact Peter Gerhard at 319-353-5700.