Life tested her, long before it celebrated her: Story of Ankita | Ankita Patel was not born with a disability; she acquired it later during a hair treatment that left her with low vision. Studying became difficult, and eventually led her to stop her education after the 12th. But in the middle of it all, another passion was quietly finding its place in her heart: Singing. When a major group singing competition was announced, Ankita repeatedly called the organizers, asking for just one chance to perform solo since she didn’t have a group to participate with. Every call ended in rejection, until one member finally agreed. On the day of the competition, she waited through the entire event without hearing her name. Just when she thought the opportunity had slipped away, she was finally called on stage. With no music and no instruments, she sang with only her raw voice. The auditorium fell silent, and then erupted into loud cheers. People rushed to take her contact details, and that moment became the turning point of her journey as a singer. Today, Ankita runs a music academy with her husband, nurturing the dreams of more than 130 students. The girl who once waited for a chance to sing now creates countless chances for others. | When therapy earned a place in the India Book of Records: Story of Divya | Divya Shankar was born prematurely in her sixth month, weighing just one kilogram. She was diagnosed with Down syndrome and, for the first few years of her life, showed almost no developmental milestones. She couldn’t sit, speak, or respond when called. Determined to help her, her parents began years of physiotherapy and speech therapy. But things started to change when, on a doctor’s suggestion, they introduced her to dance therapy to help her understand expressions and emotions. Divya began responding to the rhythm of songs sung by her brother, and her parents decided to enrol her in a dance school. The school initially refused to teach a student with a disability and only allowed her to observe the classes. But within seven months, Divya surprised everyone by performing her Bharatanatyam Arangetram, a debut stage performance usually reserved for students who have trained for years. Today, she holds two records in the India Book of Records: One in 2019 for a two-hour solo Bharatanatyam recital and another in 2025 for a 1.5-hour Mohiniyattam recital. For every woman out there, who is scared to take that leap of faith, Divya is a living example of what courage and perseverance can achieve. | She blew life into lifeless stones: Story of Nehal Tiwari | Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Nehal Tiwari often found it difficult to communicate and express herself growing up. As a child, she loved playing with colours and bringing drawings to life on paper and it gave her a sense of calm and joy. Years later, during a workshop in college she stumbled upon something unusual: Stone painting. Began as a simple activity, it soon turned into her passion. She started transforming ordinary pebbles into vibrant works of art, painting everything from landscapes and animals to gods and cartoons. Over time, her beautifully painted stones gained attention and her creative outlet slowly became a source of making her financially independent. Today, the little girl who once struggled to express herself now speaks her heart through art, painting stories on small pebbles. | Autism Awareness Month is knocking on the door (April 2nd) | | This Autism Awareness Month, give a talented individual a chance. A chance to show what opportunity truly means to them. And trust us, they won’t take it lightly. If your organisation wants to create a meaningful impact this World Autism Awareness Day, reach out to us at vineet.s@atypicaladvantage.in to curate an engaging and memorable experience. | Mysuru workshop focuses on livelihood opportunities for women and persons with disabilities | The Mysuru City Corporation organised a workshop and exhibition titled “Special-Abled and Women’s Progress Path” to promote livelihood opportunities for women and persons with disabilities. The programme includes skill development training using solar-powered machines for sectors like agriculture, animal husbandry, and small-scale manufacturing, along with support for subsidies and bank loans to help participants start their own businesses. (Source: TOI) | Electric wheelchairs bring new mobility for persons with disabilities in Chennai | Around 50 persons with disabilities in Chennai received special wheelchairs that can also function as electric vehicles, helping them travel longer distances independently. The initiative aims to improve mobility, dignity, and access to opportunities for people with disabilities by combining assistive technology with electric mobility. The innovative wheelchairs allow users to move more freely and participate in everyday activities with greater ease. (Source: The Hindu) | Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 50,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 500+ corporates within a short span of 5 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government. For more information, visit our website here. | |
