If you have authored work addressing disability or raising public awareness of disability issues, your writing may be recognized and featured on our website, and you could be eligible for a $1,000 cash prize!
The Centre for Independent Living in Toronto (CILT) is proud to present the 2025 Helen Henderson Literary Award, granted to an individual who produced an outstanding piece of writing related to raising public awareness of a disability issue or barrier.
The award recipient will receive:
- Cash prize of $1,000
- Certificate of recognition from CILT
- Opportunity to have their contributions showcased on CILT’s website and social media
Eligibility criteria:
- One published piece of writing (either on a website, blog, open letter to the editor or in a journal, newsletter or magazine)
- Submission must be in English or French
- Between 700 – 3000 words
- Addresses at least one disability issue or barrier
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 1, 2025
To apply:
- Submit your completed application by email to cilt@cilt.ca
- The email must include; a link or attachment to your published writing AND your full name and address
- Describe the piece and why it is significant to the disability community and your interest in the topic
- Applications can be self-nomination or by another person, in which case the nominator must submit a letter of reference
- For any accommodation requests, please email cilt@cilt.ca or call 416-599-2458
- The award will be presented during CILT’s Annual General Meeting held virtually over Zoom on September 26, 2025
Since 2016, the Helen Henderson Literary Award has annually recognized passionate and inspiring disabled writers raising awareness about disability topics like:
- Transforming how we think about accessibility
- Accepting cerebral palsy as an inherent part of identity
- Operating your own personal attendant care company to meet your personal care needs
- Social justice for disabled people tied to our ability to move through the world
- and more!
For more information about the award, including about Helen Henderson, the pioneer of a column in the Toronto Star that brough disability issues to the public, read here: https://cilt.ca/about-us/helen-henderson-award/
We encourage applications from disabled people who are also part of BIPOC, queer and trans communities, immigrant and refugee communities, poor and/or underhoused people, and other communities who experience systemic barriers.
Support CILT’s efforts promoting the Independent Living philosophy and our goal of facilitating the socio-economic equity of persons with disabilities by becoming a CILT member: https://cilt.ca/about-us/membership/
