Different. Not Less.

"I am different, not less."

Temple Grandin

photograph of Temple Grandin via

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Over one billion people, or approximately 15 per cent of the world’s population, live with some form of disability. Around the world, persons with disabilities face physical, social, economic and attitudinal barriers that exclude them from participating fully and effectively as equal members of society (literally via UN).



This very day is dedicated to promoting an understanding of people with disability and encouraging support for their dignity, rights and well-being (via).



Timothy Archibald, US-American photographer, started taking pictures of his autistic son Elijah, now 12, six years ago. The aim of his three year-long series was to relate to his son better and to make people more accepting of the "imperfections". Reactions ranged from accusations of using his son as a "human guinea pig" to gratefulness for spreading awareness about autism (via).



Photo below: "Eli in my sweatshirt"



"My eldest son was born in 2001. He was always a kid who went to the beat of his own drummer. When he was 5, we began making photographs collaboratively as a way to find some common ground and attempt to understand each other. Soon after we began the project, Elijah was diagnosed on the autistic spectrum. Though the diagnosis gave me the words and history to understand my son better, it didn't take away the mystery and the need to try to find an emotional bridge to him." (via)



Photos by Timothy Archibald via

Social Entrepreneurship: Creating One Million Jobs

When Thorkil Sonne learned that his 2.5-years-old son had infantile autism, he started reading about the disorder and soon realized that his son would face a life of misunderstandings, isolation and scarce job opportunities. Sonne then founded "Specialisterne" with the aim of giving people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and similar challenges equal job opportunities - of creating one million jobs. People with ASD (ranging from Asperger to Autism) often have a passion for detail and an outstanding memory.

Stephen Wiltshire was diagnosed as autistic when he was three. At the age of nine he learned to speak, at seven he had already been known for his drawings. His sketches of big cities from memory after having seen them just once (from the helicopter) became legendary for their incredible accuracy.

 Tokyo (photo via)

 

New York City (photo via)