Poochkoo welcomes new recruits through the Pawsibilities program | Three incredible girls stepped into a space filled with curiosity, learning, and wagging tails. Coming from different journeys of Down syndrome, autism, and slow learning, they are now being mentored while spending meaningful time understanding the personalities of dogs. Through their interactions with Laila, Champa, and Comet (really cool dog names), the participants slowly began discovering that every dog, has a unique personality, comfort zone, and way of expressing emotions. What makes this journey even more special is the beautiful circle it has created. Priya and Reva, who were once learners in the very same position, have now stepped into the role of mentors for the newcomers. Watching them encourage the new participants is a heartwarming reminder of how growth and inclusion can come full circle. | From posting on Linkedin to executing for the team | Our recent Indian Sign Language (ISL) session with the team at LinkedIn was an exchange of meaningful dialogue around inclusion and Deaf awareness, hosted by Deepak, our employee with hearing impairment. Through interactive activities like the Sign Relay Race, myth-busting conversations around Deafness and communication, and discussions on Deaf Culture and everyday accessibility practices, participants experienced something really different. One of the most loved moments was participants learning and practicing how to spell LinkedIn in Sign language. The learning extended further through an Assistive Technology Booth where participants got hands-on exposure to accessibility solutions like the Pen Friend Labeller, Talking Thermometer, and several other assistive devices generating reactions like, “Never knew something like these devices existed,” and “I have never witnessed something like this before.” With 50+ participants engaging across the session and booth experience, LinkedIn once again proved that accessibility is best understood when experienced. | A new batch of neurodiverse designers at work | Over the past few months, our UI/UX batch has made remarkable progress, growing not only in technical expertise but also in creative confidence. Through the course, participants have been upskilled across multiple facets of UI/UX design, gaining hands-on exposure. What made the journey even more impactful was the opportunity to work on paid gig projects through Atypical Advantage, allowing the designers to apply their learning in real-world scenarios and build industry-ready experience along the way. Shared above are some of the posters conceptualized and designed entirely by the batch. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness how thoughtfully they have implemented feedback and evolved their creative approach with every project they undertake. As the cohort continues to strengthen its skills and portfolio, we are now gearing up to launch Batch 4 in collaboration with Tata Power, mentoring a new set of talented individuals and helping them further sharpen their design skills. | Met Gala 2026 marks a breakthrough moment for disability representation in fashion | The 2026 Met Gala is being celebrated as a landmark moment for disability inclusion, with disabled creators and activists becoming part of the event’s leadership and storytelling. Accessibility consultant Sinéad Burke and others helped redesign accessibility for the exhibition, while wheelchair users and disabled models were prominently featured on the red carpet, reinforcing that fashion and body diversity cannot exist separately. (Source: Teen Vogue) | Bengaluru plans Braille-enabled footpaths for inclusive mobility | The Karnataka government has proposed new pedestrian-friendly measures under the Motor Vehicles Rules 2026, including Braille-enabled footpaths, refuge islands, and dedicated non-motorised transport zones. The move aims to make Bengaluru’s streets safer and more accessible for persons with visual impairments and pedestrians overall, signaling a stronger push toward inclusive urban infrastructure. (Source: TOI) | 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. | |
