Ability Day

Ability Day is a national education initiative created by the Dylan Alcott Foundation to spark meaningful conversations about disability, inclusion, and representation among school-aged children across Australia. Grounded in the belief that every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and empowered, Ability Day invites classrooms and school communities to challenge stereotypes, celebrate difference, and recognise the strengths and leadership of young people living with disability. Launched in December 2025, Ability Day marked its inaugural year with an overwhelmingly positive response, seeing more than 160 schools register to take part. The program not only engaged students nationwide, but also raised vital funds to support the Foundation’s mission: removing barriers and creating equal opportunities for young Australians living with disability across education, sport, and personal ambition. As Dylan Alcott Foundation GM Charlie Rothery noted, the response exceeded expectations, setting a strong foundation for the campaign’s growth in years to come. Foundry partnered closely with the Dylan Alcott Foundation to bring Ability Day to life from the ground up. This began with establishing an inclusive, accessible name for the initiative, followed by the development of a complete visual brand identity designed to resonate with young audiences while carrying the weight and credibility of the Foundation. A central creative pillar of the campaign was the development of the Ability Day Mascots: a cast of animated characters representing different disabilities, each with their own distinct personality, interests, and passions. “We saw the mascots as a powerful opportunity to connect with the younger end of the audience in a way that felt joyful, relatable, and human. Each character represents a different disability, but just as importantly, they reflect real-life passions like friendship, sport, creativity, and curiosity. They’re not defined by limitation, but by who they are.” - Gabi Revell, Foundry Accessibility was the cornerstone of the entire project. Working in close collaboration with the Dylan Alcott Foundation and accessibility consultants at Get Skilled Access, every touchpoint was carefully considered to ensure inclusivity. From colour contrast and typography through to animation, digital assets, and educational materials, all outputs were designed to meet WCAG compliance standards, ensuring Ability Day was genuinely accessible to as many students and educators as possible. Ability Day stands as a celebration of inclusion, education, and representation, and a clear example of how thoughtful, accessible design can help shape culture, shift perceptions, and create lasting impact.