Moving towards a world where we can unmask and take pride in our autistic identity < Back Neurodiversity, News Autistic Pride Day 2024: The significance, history and theme Moving towards a world where we can unmask and take pride in our autistic identity MMS Staff 18 Jun 2024 2-min read Autistic Pride Day is observed annually on June 18. In 2024, this day falls on a Tuesday. This year's theme, ‘Taking the mask off,’ emphasises the importance of mental health and encourages autistic individuals to unmask safely, celebrating and expressing their true selves without conforming to societal expectations. This day promotes a liberating sense of self-acceptance and pride in one's autistic identity. Historical background Autistic Pride Day was initiated in 2005 by Aspies For Freedom (AFF), a group that chose June 18 to honour the birthday of their youngest member at the time. The day was inspired by the ethos of the gay pride movement, with a focus on positivity and acceptance rather than viewing autism as something that needs to be fixed. Kabie Brook, one of the co-founders of Autism Rights Group Highland (ARGH) says that Autistic Pride Day is a grassroots initiative led by autistic people themselves, ensuring that their voices and experiences are front and centre. Significance of the day Autistic Pride Day is not just a celebration but a powerful statement on neurodiversity and the importance of inclusivity. It's a day that challenges misconceptions about autism, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for autistic people. The day serves to educate the public about the lived experiences of autistic individuals and aims to dismantle the stigma surrounding autism. By celebrating this day, we affirm the value and contributions of autistic people, promoting respect, empathy, and an understanding that diversity in thinking and perceiving the world enriches our collective human experience. Celebrations worldwide Every year, Autistic Pride Day is marked by various events that both celebrate autistic culture and promote greater public understanding. Activities range from community gatherings, educational seminars and artistic performances to online campaigns and storytelling sessions. These events serve as a platform for sharing experiences, showcasing the talents of autistic individuals, and reinforcing the community's strength through solidarity and shared identity. How can you celebrate? Whether you're autistic yourself, the loved one of an autistic person, or an ally, you can participate in the celebration. Here are some ways to get involved: Educate yourself and others about the vast diversity within the autistic spectrum. Support autistic voices, seek out books by autistic authors, films by autistic directors, and patronise autistic businesses. Be mindful of light and noise levels in public spaces, and create spaces comfortable for everyone. Some videos you can share to raise awareness and celebrate this day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTp-nehzdA Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Highlighting nature doesn’t discriminate, the Channel 4 ad appends “They’re so good, considering…” with “Considering What?” < Back Disability, Media, News Paralympics 2024 campaign challenges perceptions about Paralympians Highlighting nature doesn’t discriminate, the Channel 4 ad appends “They’re so good, considering…” with “Considering What?” MMS Staff 7 Aug 2024 2-min read British broadcaster Channel 4 has launched its new campaign film ‘Considering What?’ ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Created by Channel 4’s in-house agency 4creative, the campaign seeks to challenge the public's perceptions of Paralympians, encouraging viewers to see them as elite athletes rather than competitors “overcoming” their disabilities. The campaign launched on July 12, and comes after research commissioned by Channel 4 revealed that nearly 60 percent of viewers watch the Paralympics to ‘see athletes overcoming their disabilities,’ whereas only 37 percent watch it for ‘exciting sporting competition.’ The campaign aims to shift this narrative, focusing on the athletes' sporting excellence. The video personifies the elements of the world — gravity, friction, and time — showing that these elements make no exceptions for any athlete, regardless of disability. Gravity is depicted as a taunting, shirtless man, friction appears as an abrasive racer in a yellow sports car, and time is personified as a woman with a stopwatch. The elements, respectively, are shown challenging wheelchair rugby star Aaron Phipps, multi-gold medallist Sarah Storey and sprinter Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker. The spin here is that the film shows athletes overcoming these elements, not their own disabilities. Simultaneously, the film is capturing the reactions of audiences watching the Paralympics, some of whom - although well-intentioned - say things like: “He’s incredible… for someone like that.” and “They’re so brave, considering…” “Considering what?” the ad asks. Lynsey Atkin, Executive Creative Director of 4creative, explains : “Excellence is excellent, no caveats. How strange that as audiences we watch one of the world’s most elite sporting events with our heads tilted and our amazement seemingly tempered. Gravity, friction, time — the unchangeable forces of our world dictate what it means to be the best on the pitch, in the pool, on the court, on the track. They offer no head starts, no free passes, no patronising pat on the head and another go around.” Supporting the TV campaign is an out-of-home campaign, featuring posters of Paralympians and a mural by disabled artist Florence Burns. These collaterals convey the ‘Considering What?’ message by adding a strikethrough across well-meaning but patronising phrases that are commonly associated with Paralympic athletes. Channel 4’s Chief Marketing Officer Katie Jackson highlights the significance of the campaign: “... The Paralympics is one of the greatest sporting events in the world, drawing many millions of viewers. And that’s just it. This is sport, where athletic prowess takes centre stage and excellence wins above all else. As we show Paralympians battling against the very real forces of our world, we wanted to highlight the pure power and energy of world-class athleticism. Because at the end of the day, sport doesn’t care about disability. Paris, we’re coming for you.” Watch the full film here and let us know your thoughts below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUs_mNTNwvE Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

From actor Vijay Varma to model Winnie Harlow, meet the artists using their skin as a canvas, not a flaw < Back Disability, Media What Is Vitiligo? Creators who show the world it’s nothing to hide From actor Vijay Varma to model Winnie Harlow, meet the artists using their skin as a canvas, not a flaw MMS Staff 25 Jun 2025 5-min read There’s something strange about growing up in a world that teaches you to fear your own skin. Not the metaphorical kind. The literal, surface-level, look-in-the-mirror-every-day kind. In a world obsessed with “flawless” skin, what happens when your skin tells a different story? Vitiligo, a condition that causes the skin to lose pigment in patches, affects roughly 1 per cent of the global population. And yet, it remains misunderstood, stigmatised, or, worse, erased. But that silence is breaking, and it’s breaking beautifully. Across film, fashion, TikTok, and spoken word, a growing wave of creators with vitiligo are refusing to shrink themselves to fit narrow standards of beauty. They’re not just embracing their skin, they’re turning it into art, activism, poetry, and power. This World Vitiligo Day, we spotlight five powerful voices who are changing what representation looks like, one unapologetic patch at a time. Vijay Varma: Not a secret, not a statement... just his skin Vijay Varma didn’t write a heartfelt Instagram caption about his vitiligo. He didn’t break the internet with a skin-positive photoshoot. He just mentioned it, casually, in an interview. “I used to worry when I was out of work,” he said. “Wondering if this condition would become a hurdle.” That’s it. No drama. No pity. Just a plain and simple bit of truth from someone in one of the world’s most appearance-obsessed industries. Vitiligo, for the uninitiated, causes patches of skin to lose their pigment. In showbiz, where continuity matters and faces are the product, even minor differences can be exaggerated into “problems.” So yes, Vijay covers his vitiligo while filming, not out of shame, but because he wants people to focus on the character, not the skin. But off-screen? He’s never hidden it. And that choice, to just exist with it, without apology, is revolutionary. In a world that often demands people with visible differences to either hide or turn into “inspiration,” Varma offers a third way: live, work, thrive, and let your skin be skin. Amara Aleman: Her skin became the canvas she needed Amara Aleman used to do everything she could to hide her vitiligo. Long sleeves in summer. Thick makeup. Staying indoors. Silence. That’s what living with vitiligo looked like for her when she was first diagnosed in 2017. She was isolated, anxious, and unsure if she'd ever feel comfortable in her own skin again. Then one day, she stopped trying to blend in... and started painting out. Amara, who now has over 300K followers on TikTok, is best known for turning her vitiligo patches into vibrant works of art. She calls them her “ArtSpots”, the lighter parts of her skin where pigment is missing. And she doesn’t just fill them in. She builds whole worlds on them. From floral patterns to Pride flag palettes, her body becomes a living, breathing canvas. She uses tattoo cover-up and body paint not to erase her skin, but to draw attention to it... on her own terms. The shift wasn’t just cosmetic. It was psychological. “Once I saw how positively it was affecting others with the condition,” she says, “the ideas really flourished.” What started as survival has now become art, community, and representation. In a world that says, “cover up,” Amara’s response is: watch me glow. Saja Kilani: A love letter to the skin she once tried to erase When Saja Kilani was younger, she hated her vitiligo. It made her feel different. Visible in the wrong ways. So she did what many people do when their skin doesn’t fit the beauty standard... she tried to change it. Specifically, through medical tattooing, a process meant to recolour the skin and blend the patches back in. It didn’t work. And years later, instead of hiding from that experience, Saja wrote a poem about it. ‘Dear Vitiligo’ isn’t just a poem. It’s a turning point. In it, the Palestinian-Jordanian-Canadian actress speaks directly to the skin she once rejected. It’s tender, powerful, and painful. It’s also necessary. In the accompanying film, Saja collaborates with a makeup artist and photographer not to hide her vitiligo, but to showcase it. Her patches are painted around, highlighted, celebrated. For once, she controls the lens. The most unexpected reaction came from her cousin’s eight-year-old daughter. After watching the video, the little girl said: “I wish I had vitiligo too.” For Saja, that moment felt like closure. Today, she isn’t just reclaiming her skin. She’s offering language, softness, and agency to others who might still be in hiding. Her message is simple: “You can choose whether your condition is your insecurity. Or not.” Winnie Harlow: Done being the “Model with Vitiligo” Winnie Harlow’s story has been told a hundred times. But rarely on her terms. Yes, she has vitiligo. Yes, she was bullied as a kid. Yes, she became the first person with the condition to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway, to front major campaigns, to appear on magazine covers. But if you listen to her, that’s not the part she wants to be known for. “I’ve lived a full life,” she says. “And honestly, I’ve dealt with way worse things than my skin.” Still, the world wants her to play a specific role: the girl who overcame adversity to become beautiful. She’s over it. Winnie credits her Jamaican upbringing, especially her mother, for giving her the confidence to exist in a world that told her she didn’t fit. That confidence carried her through bullying, rejection, and eventually into fashion and entrepreneurship. After suffering a severe sunburn on a photoshoot (because no one wanted sunscreen to “ruin” the shot), she created Cay Skin, a brand built for skin like hers: melanin-rich, sensitive, often ignored by the mainstream. Winnie’s goal now is to stop being “the model with vitiligo.” She wants to write children’s books. To build brands. To create spaces for Black women to lead. As she puts it: “My skin has been one of my greatest gifts. It taught me to be louder, prouder, and to see beyond my own cover, and everyone else’s too.” What Is Vitiligo? And why does it matter? Vitiligo is a chronic condition where the skin loses melanin, the pigment responsible for colour. It can affect any part of the body: face, hands, scalp, and even the inside of the mouth. The cause is still unclear, but researchers believe it’s linked to autoimmune responses, genetics, and environmental triggers. And while it isn’t dangerous, the emotional impact -thanks to society’s obsession with uniform skin - can be deep and lasting. Which is why stories like these matter. This is what representation really looks like The people featured in this piece aren’t brave despite their skin; they’re powerful with it. They’re not here to inspire you for pity likes. They’re showing up to expand the frame of what’s seen as beautiful, desirable, professional, and worthy. They’re creators. Models. Actors. Entrepreneurs. They’re also - sometimes - people who’ve cried in bathrooms, dodged stares, or tried to disappear. But today, they are choosing to be visible. And in doing so, they’re making space for all of us to show up in our full, imperfect glory too. If you’ve ever felt different because of your skin, your body, your face, this is your reminder: your story is not a flaw. It’s a feature. Let it be seen. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Partner with Much Much Spectrum, a leading social impact media company, to reach an engaged global audience of over 50,000. Benefit from our expertise in video, podcast production, social media campaigns, and content strategy. Transform ideas into impact with our tailored media solutions. Much Much Spectrum: Where influential minds meet future-shaping ideas Audience 100K+ Views 500M+ Stories 10K+ Brand partners 50+ Our audience comes from India Canada UK USA Australia End-to-end social impact media solutions Research Social media strategy Webinars/ seminars/ workshops Video & podcast Content strategy Social media campaigns Blogs and e-mail marketing Website/ microsite Reports, toolkits and resources Featured in Want to partner up? Let's do some Much Much! Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch Company Name Full Name Email Phone Your Approx Budget Choose an option SUBMIT Thanks for submitting! Brands who put their trust in us What our community says about us “Awesome content, and educational and fun!” Μπομπ Σφουγγαριστρα

Much Much Spectrum is a Mumbai-based media production company and social impact agency. We specialize in turning brand visions into engaging conversations and impactful campaigns. We have collaborated with giants like Meta, Mahindra, Google, and Netflix to create content that resonates deeply. About us Based in Mumbai, Much Much Media is a boutique media production company and social impact agency with a community of over 50,000 people. We help brands, non-profits, and agencies make important conversations interesting while ensuring their vision and goals are not only met, but resonate deeply with audiences. Why ‘Much Much?’ In colloquial Hindi, "much much" means chatter. We chose the name Much Much Media to embody our mission of making important conversations engaging and enjoyable through our content and media. Based in Mumbai, Much Much Media is a boutique media production company that transforms briefs from brands and agencies into highly loved and binge-worthy social media content, films, campaigns, ads, and more. Our journey Much Much Spectrum was launched three years after Much Much Media as our original content division, aimed at bringing to light the stories of underrepresented communities that are often missing from mainstream media. This initiative was inspired by our founders' discovery of their own neurodivergence, establishing us as India’s first neurodivergent-led media company. Our objective is to bridge the gap in affirming narratives, particularly around subjects like health, disability, and mental health, which have been historically stigmatized in India. These topics are frequently portrayed through lenses of pity, sympathy, or excessive inspiration, often resulting in unaffirmative portrayals. In the last two years, Much Much Spectrum has built a global community of over 50,000 people. We have partnered with various brands and non-profits to tell impactful stories through our platform and community. 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 INCEPTION AS AN AGENCY Launched Much Much Media as a dynamic marketing communications agency. SIGNIFICANT COLLABORATIONS Collaborated with industry giants Meta and Mahindra (Jawa Motorcycles), setting a strong foundation. EXPANDING HORIZONS Delivered bespoke projects for prominent brands including Google, Netflix, Coca-Cola Foundation, HSBC, and United Way Mumbai. INNOVATION AND EXPANSION Founded Much Much Spectrum to co-create original content focusing on health, neurodiversity, and other pivotal social issues. IMPACTFUL CAMPAIGNS Ran four nationwide social impact campaigns, including a significant initiative for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. GROWTH AND COLLABORATION MILESTONES Partnered with the Government of India to raise awareness about disabilities. Our global community reached a robust 50,000 members. Launched the Much Much Spectrum website, enhancing our digital presence and engagement. Our mission At Much Much Spectrum, we focus on creating impactful content and strategies that resonate with diverse cultural contexts while being globally acknowledged. We empower communities and foster collaborations among a wide range of stakeholders in the social impact arena. Our mission is to prioritize lived experiences, community wisdom, and inclusive models in social storytelling. We aim to establish a practice that reflects local realities, democratizes knowledge, centre stages community insights, and integrates research and data with personal narratives. Through compelling content, we strive to engage a broader audience, making important conversations both accessible and captivating. Our values Inclusive Collaborative Ethical Reliable Our founders Aditi Gangrade Chief Creative Officer - Much Much Media Aditi Gangrade is a Gen-Z entrepreneur and filmmaker, renowned for her pioneering work in promoting neurodiversity and disability representation in the media industry. As someone who identifies as Autistic and ADHD, and also experiences PMDD, Aditi co-founded the innovative Mumbai-based studio, Much Much Spectrum, alongside her equally talented neurodivergent partner, Aalap Deboor. This inclusive content, insights, and consultation studio has made a significant impact by establishing a global community of 50,000 individuals focused on mental health, disability, neurodiversity, and gender. Much Much Spectrum, under Aditi's visionary leadership, aims to build India's largest repository of lived experiences through a rich tapestry of digital content and films. Aditi's passion for intersectional storytelling and her commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in media has been a driving force behind her work. Her directorial prowess was recently showcased in the film 'Unmasking Autism,' which was screened at the prestigious Pride Filmtage Bremen Film Festival in Germany. Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Aditi worked as a creative producer and director. The inception of Much Much Spectrum, an extension of her media company Much Much Media, was motivated by the personal revelation of neurodivergence she shared with her partner. Much Much Spectrum collaborates with a diverse range of entities including non-profits, brands, corporate firms, and government agencies, striving to actualize disability inclusion. Apart from spearheading all creative and editorial efforts at Much Much Media, Aditi now also takes time out to coach young neurodivergent people starting their careers, as well as consult parents and caregivers on neurodiversity. To book a session with her, click here . Aalap Deboor Chief Executive Officer - Much Much Media Aalap is a writer-director-producer with 15 years in the entertainment industry. After a career in journalism working with Hindustan Times, followed by TV programming & production with MTV & Vh1 (where Aalap produced the shows Coke Studio & Unplugged and led Vh1 India's digital media efforts), and then in digital content & strategy as Head of Music for One Digital Entertainment - Asia's largest creator network - he started Much Much Media, a content & research studio. Aalap has directed and produced 100+ brand campaigns, and developed & successfully implemented data-driven content strategies for 50+ Bollywood music artists, building numerous digital channels and IPs from the ground up, including JioSaavn's Hip Hop Highway - India's first hip hop podcast - and MTV Roots, India's first indie music show. He has directed talent such as AR Rahman, Raftaar, Armaan Malik and Prajakta Koli, and led production on social campaigns, shows, ads and music videos for 50+ global brands including Vodafone, Tinder, Diageo and Nokia, featuring personalities ranging all the way from Shah Rukh Khan and Bill Gates to Russell Peters and Bhuvan Bam, netting over 250m+ views. Our advisors Rahul Jindal Director - Google, India Currently Global Director of Operations & Practices at Google, and an IIT-A alum, Rahul brings close to 20 years of rich experience in management across industries, with global and local roles at such companies as Infosys, CPA Global and Evalueserve. Rahul has been an active part of the disability and neurodiversity discourse. He's a former Executive Sponsor of Google's Disability Alliance, and former head of Google's Employee Resource Group in India. He has been active in raising awareness about disabilities, employing people with disabilities in high-tech & digital marketing roles, and spearheading active efforts in Assistive Tech.

Union Budget 24 announced yesterday saw an increase of only 0.025 percent in funds allocated to DEPwD < Back Disability, News No mention of disability in budget 2024 speech Union Budget 24 announced yesterday saw an increase of only 0.025 percent in funds allocated to DEPwD MMS Staff 24 Jul 2024 3-min read The Union Budget 2025 was presented by the Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman, yesterday, and left the country’s disabled community high and dry yet again. According to the PTI , the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) was allocated Rs 1,225.27 crore, a marginal increase from the previous year’s 1,225.01 crore. While disability activists were campaigning for at least a 5 percent allocation of the total union budget to the DEPwD, the current figures park the tally at a mere 0.025 percent of the total national budget for FY 2024-25. The figures add up to a Rs 12 lakh (USD 14,000) increase from last year’s total allocation. A substantial portion of the budget, amounting to Rs 615.33 crore, has been allocated to the National Program for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities for this fiscal year. This despite the government outlining employment and skilling and social justice as two of the priority areas in the year’s budget. The Politics and Disability Forum put out a post on LinkedIn highlighting the disproportionately small share of the union budget allocated to the DEPwD given the large population of the country. “An analysis of specific allocation reveals further complications with this budget wherein the allocation for Scheme for Implementation of Person With Disabilities Act (SIPDA) has seen systematic decline over the years,” their post read. Disability rights groups and self-advocates, too, voiced their displeasure openly. “Over the years, I have always felt disappointed and spoken against the token mention of disability in budget speeches. This time, the Hon’ble Finance Minister took me too seriously. Disability wasn’t mentioned even once in the budget speech,” said disability rights advocate Nipun Malhotra in a post on LinkedIn. Dr Satendra Singh, disability rights activist, tweeted sarcastically, “Bravo, #Budget2024 ! Inclusive growth by completely forgetting people with disabilities, not even mentioning them once and giving a generous 0.025% of the budget to @socialpwds for our empowerment. Truly redefining #SocialJustice !” “Flagship programs like the Accessible India campaign are underfunded, resulting in missed targets and compromised accessibility. Reduced allocations for the Scheme for the Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) make the situation worse.,” wrote Danish Mahajan, founder of Radio Udaan, in a post on LinkedIn. The Scheme for the Implementation of Persons with Disabilities Act (SIPDA) has seen a decrease in budget allocation compared to the last fiscal. The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled (NPRD) general secretary Muralidharan noted the reduction in support to autonomous bodies such as the National Institutes and the Rehabilitation Council of India, which play crucial roles in rehabilitation and education. He also highlighted the cut in scholarships for students with disabilities, which could force many to PwDs drop out of education. The release put out by the Politics and Disability Forum highlights the consistent underutilisation of allocated budget funds by the DEPwD. “The absence of Persons with Disabilities from this social justice dents the promise of inclusive growth towards Viksit Bharat 2047. A developed India without catering to its 7-8 percent of its population (sic) will only cause marginalisation of this minority,” the release read. The organisation has asked for increased investment in health insurance schemes for PwDs, specific budget allocations for disability across ministries, high-quality assistive aids, uniform state disability pensions, and long-term skill development programmes. Social sector highlights from Budget 2024-25: Youth Employment: ₹2 lakh crore allocated for job creation Agriculture: ₹1.52 lakh crore for agricultural development Women Empowerment: ₹3 lakh crore for women-focused schemes Urban Development: ₹10 lakh crore for housing and infrastructure Climate Resilience: Introduction of climate-resilient crops and new schemes Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

New guidelines aim to end stereotypes and promote accurate portrayals of disabilities in media < Back Disability, Media, News SC issues landmark guidelines for disability representation in films New guidelines aim to end stereotypes and promote accurate portrayals of disabilities in media MMS Staff 8 Jul 2024 4-min read One of the foundational pillars of an affirming attitude towards disability and neurodivergence is good media representation. Until the depiction of disabled and neurodivergent people in our films, TV series and social media is accurate, respectful, and empathetic, not much in society's attitude towards this community can change. Looks like the Supreme Court has taken note. In a landmark ruling on July 8, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud established comprehensive guidelines to prevent stereotyping and discrimination of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in visual media, including films and documentaries. The petition, filed by disability rights activist Nipun Malhotra, was driven by concerns over derogatory and discriminatory remarks towards PwDs in the film ‘Aankh Micholi.' The film included terms like “ atki hui cassettes ” (stuck cassettes) and “ bhulakkad baap ” (forgetful father) to describe individuals with speech and memory disabilities. ‘Aankh Micholi,’ released in 2023 to largely unfavourable reviews , is a film about a family whose various members live with disabilities and health conditions, including deafness, stammering and night blindness. The plot is an ableist ‘comedy of errors’ that rests on using disability and neurodivergence as elements of comic relief. Unfortunately, what a lot of filmmakers fail to realise is not only is the disabled community a low hanging fruit for comedy and all other kinds of slapstick content that shows them in bad light for a cheap laugh, their improper representation gives rise to society's developing misgivings about the community’s actual potential. The Supreme Court rightly emphasised that creators must provide an accurate representation of disabilities rather than mocking or mythifying them. Justice JB Pardiwala, part of the bench, described the judgment as "path-breaking," denouncing the use of stigmatising terms like “cripple” and “spastic.” Historical context and the need for change Indian films, TV serials, ads, and news media have long used disabilities and neurodivergent conditions as a source of comic relief, often at the expense of the dignity of persons with disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. Characters with disabilities have been frequently depicted in a manner that elicits pity or frames them as overtly inspirational, contributing to a skewed and harmful portrayal of disability. This stereotypical representation reinforces negative perceptions and stigmatisation, marginalising an already vulnerable group. The Supreme Court's latest judgement Chief Justice Chandrachud, authoring the judgement, drew attention to the harmful myths perpetuated by visual media about disabilities. The Court noted that depicting persons with disabilities as “super-cripples” implies that they must possess extraordinary abilities, thereby marginalising those who do not fit this stereotype. The bench stated, “Stereotyping is an antithesis to dignity and non-discrimination,” highlighting the judiciary’s evolving role in safeguarding individual rights and addressing complex intersections of disability, gender, and mental health. Modern social model vs the medical model The judgement emphasised a shift from the medical model, which views disability as a personal tragedy, to the modern social model. The social model treats disabilities as a result of societal barriers rather than individual deficits. Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted that stereotypes and a mockery of disabilities arise from a lack of familiarity and inadequate representation of persons with disabilities in mainstream discourse. Distinguishing humour types and their impact The Court made a critical distinction between “disabling humour” and “disability humour.” Disabling humour demeans persons with disabilities, while disability humour seeks to better understand and explain disability. The context, intention, and overall message of media content should be considered before concluding whether remarks are disparaging. Guidelines for inclusive representation The Supreme Court issued several guidelines for creators of films and visual media content: Language and terminology: Insensitive language is contrary to the dignity of persons with disabilities. Terms like “cripple” and “spastic” should be avoided, as should terms like “afflicted,” “suffering,” and “victim.” These terms contribute to negative self-image and societal marginalisation. Accurate representation: Creators must strive for accurate representation of medical conditions to prevent misinformation and perpetuation of stereotypes. Misleading portrayals can reinforce harmful misconceptions about disabilities. Diverse realities: Visual media should depict the diverse realities of persons with disabilities, showcasing not only their challenges but also their successes, talents, and contributions to society. This holistic portrayal helps to normalise disability and reduce stigma. Stakeholder involvement: The bench emphasised the importance of disabled participation in the creation of media, stating, “‘Nothing about us without us’ principle is based on the promotion of participation of persons with disabilities and equalisation of opportunities. This principle must be practised in constituting statutory committees and inviting expert opinions for assessing the overall message of films and their impact on the dignity of individuals under the Cinematograph Act and Rules.” The Court went on to remind the government of its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to incorporate the lived experiences of disabled individuals. In March, the Supreme Court had requested the Central government's response to a plea filed by disability rights activist Nipun Malhotra in the same matter. Malhotra's complaint was that the film and its trailer contained derogatory references to persons with disabilities (PwDs). The issue escalated to the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court dismissed Malhotra's plea, stating that excessive censorship should be avoided. The Supreme Court's ruling marks a significant step towards dismantling harmful stereotypes and promoting inclusive representation of disabilities in visual media. It now remains to be seen just how many producers, directors, screenwriters and social media creators adhere to these guidelines. If you’re any of the above and unsure where or how to begin, consider engaging with disability advocacy groups that can provide insights about disabled lived experiences. A lot of nonprofits and independent self-advocates conduct training and sensitisation programs, which could potentially give insights into the community’s realities. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Four Indian cricketers with visual impairment will travel to Boston July 24 to train the US Blind Cricket team < Back Disability, News, Media Blind men in blue to fly to US to impart training to counterparts Four Indian cricketers with visual impairment will travel to Boston July 24 to train the US Blind Cricket team MMS Staff 18 Jul 2024 1-min read Four cricketers with visual impairment will fly to the US to train their US counterparts. Sukharam Majhi and Nakula Badanayak from Koraput, Debraj Behera from Brahmapur, and Pankaj Bhue from Bargarh - all cities in Odisha - will fly out to Boston from New Delhi July 24. The team will stay in the US for around 55 days, training the US blind cricket team. The Indian blind cricket team, currently the reigning world champions in the T20 format of the game, have previously won three consecutive T20 world cups in 2012, 2017 and 2022, as well as the Asia Cup in 2016. Run by the Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), which is run by the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC), the team participates in all T20 and One Day International matches. CABI - an initiative of Samarthanam Trust for the Disabled - is the apex body governing, organising and developing cricket for the blind in India. It has 30 state/ UT boards and over 25,000 players affiliated at various domestic level tournaments within India. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

Latest additions to the brand’s Fashionistas line include a blind Barbie and a black Barbie with Down Syndrome < Back Disability, News Mattel releases first-ever blind Barbie Latest additions to the brand’s Fashionistas line include a blind Barbie and a black Barbie with Down Syndrome MMS Staff 27 Jul 2024 2-min read Barbie by Mattel, known for its inclusive line of products, has added two new dolls to their ever-expanding repertoire. The first is a blind Barbie complete with a satiny blouse, textured ruffle skirt, a cane with a marshmallow tip, and functional sunglasses. The doll comes in accessible packaging with ‘Barbie’ written in Braille. Reportedly Mattel collaborated with the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) both to make sure the doll was accessible and to ensure the depiction of low visibility and blindness was on point. The release marks the last few days of July, celebrated globally as Disability Pride Month. “As we wrap up Disability Pride month, we believe this is an excellent way to make children worldwide feel included, regardless of their abilities,” said Tony Stephens of the AFB. Eric Bridges, CEO of the AFB, said blind people have historically been misrepresented in the media, so he hopes this will educate people about blindness and vision impairment. In early 2020, the company had released its most diverse line yet , called the Barbie Fashionistas, featuring a doll with vitiligo, another with no hair, and yet another with dark skin and a prosthetic limb. These dolls were released with the intent of shining a light on conditions such as vitiligo and alopecia, as well as limb difference. Then, in 2023, Mattel collaborated with the National Down Syndrome Society and released the first-ever Barbie with Down Syndrome. What’s worthy of mention is the brand has been including people with lived experience of all these conditions in the production of the dolls that represent them. “Our latest additions to the Barbie Fashionista line are part of our continued effort to represent global diversity and inclusivity in the fashion doll aisle and reflect the world children experience today, encouraging empathy through play,” said Krista Berger, the senior vice president of Barbie, in a press release. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXoZDDKrRes Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS

A guide for parents and allies to support autistic children and adults < Back Neurodiversity, Parenting Understanding Autistic shutdown and how to help someone experiencing it A guide for parents and allies to support autistic children and adults MMS Staff 13 Aug 2024 2-min read An autistic shutdown kind of feels like when you’ve had constant, discomforting sensory input all day, and by the end of it, you just can’t take anymore. And now your body just wants to ease off the overwhelm and sensory overload by shutting out any more discomforting inputs, and easing off until the senses feel regulated again. Shutdowns are a way for autistic people to cope when they’re overwhelmed by sensory or emotional input. It’s not a choice but a natural response to too much going on. Autistic shutdowns happen when the brain needs a break from all the input (sensory, emotional, physical) it’s constantly processing. As a lot of autistic people can be especially sensitive to sensory inputs - hearing more, feeling more and seeing more than allistic people - these shutdowns can have an especially exhausting effect on autistic people. Unexpected events or sudden changes in plan may cause a lot of stress, leading to a shutdown. Just like every autistic person is different from the other, shutdowns can also differ between different autistic people. This makes them difficult to spot, but once you know what to look for, you can be there to help. What are some signs of an autistic shutdown? The presentations can vary from person to person, but here are some common indicators: Fatigue: The person might seem really tired. Reduced coordination: Unsteady, uncoordinated movements can show up. Quiet: They might reduce or stop talking, or give very brief responses. Detachment: The person might seem emotionally distant or struggle to express their feelings. Passivity: Their usual enthusiasm might be replaced with a more passive attitude. Withdrawal: Avoiding activities they usually enjoy or not responding to social interactions. Seeking Calm: Finding a quiet spot to decompress or engaging in self-soothing actions like stimming. Sometimes there are hints before a full shutdown hits. They might include: Confusion Dissociation Sudden fatigue Headaches Irritability or anger Feeling emotionally numb How to support someone experiencing an Autistic shutdown The first thing you might want to consider is helping the autistic person move away from the space that’s dysregulating them. As a lot of autistic people also frequently experience alexithymia, they might not realise when they’re starting to feel dysregulated. Catching on to the symptoms early might help. Show empathy: Understanding and compassion are crucial. Remember, it’s their body and mind’s response to overwhelm and physical and mental distress. Be patient: Offer your support and don’t ask them to ‘snap’ out of it. Give them space and time to recover at their own pace. Create a calm environment: If possible, help them find a quiet, less stimulating place to rest and self-regulate. Reassurance and comfort: Let them know it’s okay to take a break and that you’re there for them without judgement. Stimming: Autistics often engage in repetitive movements called stims to self-regulate. This can reduce distress from overstimulation. Avoid shaming them: Never blame or criticise, or talk down on them for how they’re feeling. It’s not a temper tantrum or a manipulation tactic; it’s literally their body and mind telling them their current environment doesn’t suit them, and that they need a break. While recovery can take a few minutes or hours, or even days, your understanding and support can make a huge difference in helping them feel better and bounce back. Much much relate? Share it now! WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Copy link < Back SHORTS