Community | PR & Media

Children and Young People with Disability: Advocacy

In 2019-2020, Upstride Agency partnered with Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) to develop and execute a series of media launches aimed at amplifying public awareness and support for children and young people with disabilities.

This initiative was particularly focused on the lead-up to the Disability Royal Commission and addressing the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable community.

Upstride’s strategy involved a multi-phase approach to maximise media coverage and engagement. This included strategic media pitching, leveraging case studies, and utilising high-profile endorsements.

Royal Commission Media Strategy

Case Studies Collection: Sourced impactful case studies from across Australia to highlight real-life experiences of children and young people with disabilities.

Ambassador Engagement: Engaged Melanie Tran as an ambassador to enhance credibility and media appeal.

Cascading Media Strategy: Implemented a targeted national media pitching strategy to ensure broad coverage.

Media Launch: Initiated the campaign with an exclusive feature in the Sydney Morning Herald/The Age. Followed with a high-profile appearance on ABC TV News Breakfast, and extensive coverage across radio (2UE, Triple M), TV (ABC 7pm News, SBS World News), and print/online outlets.

CYDA's media activities achieved a reach of over 2 million Australians just days before the Royal Commission, successfully building momentum and public support.

COVID-19 Media Campaign

Survey Promotion: Promoted CYDA’s survey on the impact of COVID-19 on families with children and young people with disabilities.

Media Engagement: Secured broad media coverage, including a feature segment on Channel 10's The Project, to highlight the specific challenges faced during the pandemic.

RESULTS

Upstride Agency’s work with Children and Young People with Disability Australia demonstrated the power of strategic media engagement in advocating for vulnerable communities. Through a well-orchestrated media strategy and effective response to the COVID-19 crisis, we successfully enhanced CYDA’s visibility and influence, supporting its mission and amplifying its impact in critical moments.

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