From watching movies to acting in one: Story of Usaid S | As a young child, Usaid’s speech was delayed, and he often retreated into his own world, unresponsive to his name. What first seemed like a phase slowly revealed itself when his mother, searching for answers, came across a word that changed everything: Autism. The diagnosis brought a wave of emotions; shock, denial, confusion, but in time, acceptance took its place. Usaid’s world needed predictability and loud sounds, certain smells, and even some food textures overwhelmed him. Yet, within these challenges, his family became his anchor. His mother nurtured him with patience, his father stepped in after long days to continue his care, and his elder brother turned everyday moments into joyful learning experiences. And then, he found his voice, without words. Through sketches, he began expressing his world. Feelings, memories, little everyday moments, everything came alive on paper. Art became his language and a bridge to the world. And this expression soon grew into passion of graphic designing and animation. Recently, Usaid was featured in Sitaare Zameen Par. Imagine a boy who once struggled to respond was now performing on big screen. Usaid’s journey was never just about overcoming challenges, but it was about discovering new ways to see, feel, and express. | From not knowing about Autism to now living with it gracefully: Story of Rupak M | Rupak Munje’s story begins with confusion, silence, and a question. He was like any other child in his early years, but around the age of two, something quietly shifted. The words faded and his body language changed. The little signs, almost invisible at first, slowly grew into something that couldn’t be ignored. A visit to the doctor brought a word the family had never heard before: Autism. At that time, autism wasn’t something they understood and acceptance didn’t come easily. In fact, it was the hardest part. In their search to understand him better, they explored different therapies, different paths, until they found something extraordinary: Art. Through art therapy, Rupak’s world opened up in ways words never could. What others saw as limitations transformed into a powerful form of expression. An American art therapist recognized something rare in his work: An abstract expressionist style that was uniquely his own. Today, Rupak Munje is not just a child diagnosed with autism, but an artist with a global presence. Rupak’s journey reminds us that sometimes, what begins as uncertainty can unfold into something extraordinary only if we choose to see beyond limitations, and believe in possibilities. | A mother’s sacrifice leads to a child’s excellence: Story of Devansh M | At just two and a half years old, Devansh Maurya was diagnosed with Autism. Until the age of five, he did not speak. And when words finally came, they arrived hesitant, understood only by his mother. She began to notice a gentle shift whenever she placed crayons and paper in his hands. The restlessness eased, the silence softened and slowly, colours began to speak for him. What started as simple scribbles grew into expression. Soon, she introduced him to canvas and acrylic paints, giving his voice a wider world to unfold in. And as Devansh grew, so did his ways of expression. Beyond art, he found another voice in music, where piano became another language that carried his emotions with quiet strength and grace. Behind this journey stood a mother who chose to rewrite her own path. She stepped away from her career to stand more firmly beside her son. While, Devansh may have taken time to find his voice, but when he did, it was in colours, in music, and in a story that continues to inspire far beyond what anyone could have imagined. | We’ve been fortunate to be a small part of their journey, and we’re incredibly proud to share our platform with such exceptional talent. | Let’s understand Autism with a simple example | | Imagine you’re sitting in a quiet exam hall. Everyone has the same question paper, the same time, and the same instructions. For most students, they can focus, understand the questions, and write their answers. Now imagine one student experiencing that same room very differently. The ticking clock sounds extremely loud. The fan feels distracting. The rustling of papers, whispers, even the scratch of pens, all of it comes rushing in at once. While others can filter these out, this student cannot. They might: Know the answer but struggle to write it down or feel overwhelmed by the environment rather than the exam itself. So, while everyone is taking the “same” test, their experience of it is completely different. That’s what autism can be like: It’s not about lack of ability, but about experiencing the same world in a very different way. | Home voting for elderly & persons with disabilities enables in multiple cities | In a major push for inclusive elections, the Election Commission has enabled over 2.37 lakh elderly voters (85+) and persons with disabilities across Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry to cast their votes from home. Through doorstep ballot collection, this initiative ensures greater accessibility, dignity, and participation in the democratic process. (Source: Live Mint) | Railways introduce relax chair facility in Ludhiana | Indian Railways is enhancing comfort at Ludhiana station with the introduction of ‘relax chair’ facilities, allowing passengers to rest during waiting hours for a nominal fee. Designed especially for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and long-distance travellers, the initiative aims to improve overall travel experience while also boosting non-fare revenue. (Source: The Tribune) | 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. | |
