Young voices shaping Australia’s future through ABC Heywire

Person in sports uniform holding a red Australian rules football while moving across a grassy sports field under a partly cloudy sky.

Young people with disability have important stories to tell.

ABC Heywire gives young people from regional, rural and remote Australia a chance to share their experiences and ideas. Through the program, young people can build confidence, develop leadership skills and connect with others from across the country.

Australia’s Disability Strategy supports ABC Heywire to create opportunities for young people with disability to share their stories and perspectives with a wider audience.

One recent example is Jye from Charlton in regional Victoria. Jye was selected as a 2026 Heywire winner after sharing his story about rebuilding his life following a serious accident.

Jye’s story highlights the experiences, strengths and leadership of young people with disability. Stories like Jye’s build understanding and ensure more voices are included in conversations about Australian communities.

What’s Jye's story?

Read and watch Jye's story on ABC Heywire:

Share your story

Applications for ABC Heywire 2027 are now open.

If you are aged 16 to 22 and live in regional, rural or remote Australia, ABC Heywire gives you a chance to share your story, connect with other young people and share your experiences with a national audience.

Know someone with a great story to tell? Encourage them to apply.

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