A dream collaboration comes alive as Coca-Cola empowers artists through art | Coca-Cola is a brand everyone knows and has grown up with. In a world where artists with disabilities are still often underestimated, doubted, or viewed through the lens of dependency, Coca-Cola arrived with a canvas full of opportunity and truly “Opened Happiness” in every sense. When we asked the artists what this project meant to them, many responded with tears of joy and immense pride. For Karan Arora, it was an emotional moment where his art connected with a global brand. Ajay Jayprakash described it as the perfect blend of passion, creativity, and opportunity. R Kedhar called it a turning point that strengthened his confidence as a large-scale mural artist, while Shreya Gupta saw it as a dream transformed into reality through colour and expression. Archana found immense pride in bringing tribal-inspired storytelling to life through murals and for Uday Kiran, painting iconic Hyderabad landmarks for Coca-Cola became his very first wall art project, making the experience deeply personal and unforgettable. Together, these murals became stories of breaking stereotypes, and artists stepping onto one of the world’s biggest stages through their creativity. | The girl who refused to let an explosion define her: Story of Malvika | At just 13 years old, Dr. Malvika Iyer’s life changed in a split second. What looked like an ordinary object lying in her garage in Bikaner turned out to be a live grenade left behind after a nearby ammunition depot fire. The explosion that followed left her with life-altering injuries, she lost both her hands and suffered severe damage to her legs. Months of surgeries, pain, and rehabilitation followed. Yet, in the middle of that struggle, Malvika made a quiet but powerful decision: she would not let this accident define her future. While still recovering, she appeared for her Class 10 board exams with the help of a scribe and scored an extraordinary 97%, proving that her determination was stronger than her circumstances. Then she went on to study at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, pursued higher education in social work, and eventually earned a PhD. Today, Dr. Malvika Iyer is a globally recognized disability rights activist, motivational speaker, and advocate for inclusion, using her voice to challenge stereotypes and inspire millions. Through her collaborations with leading brands via Atypical Advantage, Dr. Malvika has empowered and motivated diverse employee bases, driving meaningful conversations around accessibility and inclusion. | We are growing, and so is our team | As we step into a new year, we’re proud to introduce the Co-founders of Atypical Advantage. Sharon, Asmita, Laharee, Manvi, Saumya and Juhi: These are the individuals who have been an integral part of our growth story for years. Through their consistent contributions and deep belief in our mission, they have played a pivotal role in shaping Atypical into what it is today. This elevation is not just a new designation, but a reflection of the impact they’ve created over time. Congratulations to our Co-founders as they take on this new role and continue building a future where possibilities are unlocked for millions of persons with disabilities. | Global Accessibility Awareness Day | This Global Accessibility Awareness Day, 21st May, join hands with Atypical Advantage to create inclusive spaces, both physically and digitally. Reach out to us at vineet.s@atypicaladvantage.in to explore engaging and meaningful initiatives to mark the day within your organization. | Experts urge CUET reforms to support student with rare disability | A recent report highlights the story of Sarah Moin, a student with deaf-blindness whose academic journey is at risk due to the lack of accessible provisions in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Despite scoring exceptionally well in her board examinations using assistive technology, experts and activists are urging authorities to introduce inclusive examination systems that ensure students with rare disabilities are not excluded from higher education opportunities. (Source: TOI) | Disability inclusion must be at the core of India’s development: UN official | At a media sensitisation workshop, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India Shombi Sharp emphasized that disability inclusion should be central to social and economic development. Stressing a shift from charity-based narratives to rights-based inclusion, he highlighted the importance of accessible systems, strong legislation, and inclusive representation in building societies where persons with disabilities can participate equally and thrive. (Source: Hindustan Times) | 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. | |
