Louth primary school pupils urged to enter Someone Like Me art competition

Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Hildegarde Naughton T.D. is urging Louth primary school pupils to become a creative force for greater acceptance and inclusivity of people with visible and non-visible disabilities by taking part in this year’s annual Someone Like Me primary schools’ art competition.

An initiative of the National Disability Authority, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the competition which has seen thousands of primary school pupils across Ireland develop an awareness and understanding of visible and non-visible disabilities through the medium of art in a bid create a more accepting and inclusive society. 

Pupils and their teachers across the country will be provided with cross-curricular learning and teaching materials which help celebrate the things that unite children of all abilities, drawing on personal experience and encouraging more positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities.  These materials are also available to download on the Someone Like Me website, www.someonelikemecompetition.ie.

Minister Naughton encouraged primary school principals, teachers and pupils alike to take part in this year’s competition as a way of ensuring acceptance and inclusion of disabled children from an early age. 

“As a former primary school teacher, I know just how important our classrooms are when it comes to shaping the attitudes and behaviours of our youngest citizens.

“In turn, classroom learning is taken home and becomes part of multi-generational conversations which actively helps to build a more inclusive society, where all have equity of opportunity to participate in cultural, social and economic life and to lead meaningful and fulfilled lives as valued members of the community.

“On this 10th anniversary of the competition, I would like to pay tribute to primary school teachers for the time and energy they have invested in their pupils’ participation over the years.  Their support of the Someone Like Me competition is valued enormously by the National Disability Authority.”

Director of the National Disability Authority, Dr Aideen Hartney said: “Over the last ten years, the Someone Like Me Art Competition has created a national conversation about visible and non-visible disabilities, helping to raise awareness and, ultimately, effect positive attitudinal change within society.

“The competition is an important part of the work of the National Disability Authority and has become a highlight in our calendar.  It gives us the opportunity to meaningfully and creatively engage with primary school pupils and teachers alike in a way that will benefit society not just now, but for generations to come.”

The Someone Like Me art competition, which offers a range of prizes to the value of over €1,000, is open to all primary school pupils from junior infants to sixth class and entries are welcome from individual pupils, a class or even a whole school as a combined effort.  

Submissions from pupils who are homeschooled are also encouraged. Entries can come in all shapes and sizes and can be anything from a poster or collage to a papier-mâché or mixed media sculpture. There will be a junior and senior category winner in every county, along with an overall national winner in both categories. The final deadline for entries is 14th November 2025.

More information can be found at www.someonelikemecompetition.ie