Atypical Advantage Explained

Atypical Advantage is an employment website for people with disabilities in India.^[1] It aims at creating income-generating opportunities for disabled people with conditions such as learning disability, Asperger syndrome, autism, fragile X syndrome, spinal cord injury, locomotor disability, hearing and visual impairment, Down syndrome, and muscular dystrophy^{[2] [3]} who would like to work as singers, dancers, masseuses, voiceover artistes, painters, photographers and other 16 categories.^{[4] [5]} It works with corporations to increase the representation of people with disabilities in the workforce.^{[6] [7]}

History

It was founded by Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) alumnus Vineet Saraiwala,^[8] who has retinitis pigmentosa which causes loss of eyesight with the passage of time.^[9] His own experiences led him to start the platform.^{[10] [11]}

Industry background

It works in three sections: "Talent," "Art," and "Store." The "Talent" section, provides job-matching services between disabled individuals and employers. It has formed partnerships with companies, including Amazon, Pepperfry, Tata Consultancy Services, Flipkart and Hindustan Unilever.^{[12] [13]} The "Art" section enables disabled individuals to offer their services in performing arts, visual arts and freelancers^[14] while the "Store" section, allows them to sell products directly.

Social events and initiatives

• Portrait Perfect Valentine initiative in 2021 featured eight artists with disabilities from across India. In this drive, people could choose from these artists to get their custom portraits.^[15]
• Celebrated Freedom for All event, hosted by Pepperfry invited 10 disabled artists from Atypical Advantage to paint their perspective of freedom using Pepperfry Studio’s façade.^{[16] [17]}
• Art of the Nation Exhibition which was a collaboration between The Art Junction and Atypical Advantage to raise awareness about the abilities of Indian artists with disabilities. It showcased curated artworks of 10 differently abled artists.
• Gift A Mini Concert’ initiative, it allows people to sign up performers for private and exclusive concerts. It is a way to generate more shows for disabled performers.^[18]
• Independence Day 2023 Celebration in collaboration with shopping mall where disabled individuals performed live.^{[19] [20] [21]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ahaskar . Abhijit . 2020-12-11 . A platform for people with disabilities to showcase talent, find jobs, sell art . 2023-09-15 . mint . en.
2. Web site: Raghib . Qazi M. . 2022-04-26 . Art of the Nation: A unique exhibition showcasing works of 10 artists with disabilities . 2023-09-20 . National Herald . en.
3. Web site: Vibhanshu . Kumar . 2021-02-07 . This 14 February, Gift Your Valentine A Perfect Portrait To Make A Disabled Smile . 2023-09-20 . thelogicalindian.com . en.
4. Web site: 2020-12-20 . Future Group employee calls for inclusivity by hiring disabled people . 2023-09-20 . Mid-day . en.
5. Web site: An E-Commerce And Hiring Platform Exclusively For The Differently-Abled . 2023-09-20 . NDTV.com.
6. Equentis . Equentis collaborates with Atypical Advantage for hiring people with disabilities . 2023-09-15 . www.prnewswire.com . en.
7. News: 2022-03-20 . No challenge here, just pure talent . The Times of India . 2023-09-20 . 0971-8257.
8. Web site: 2022-12-21 . Fading eyesight but not the zeal to live: The story of Vineet Saraiwala . 2023-09-20 . UPDEED . en-US.
9. Web site: How this IIM graduate with failing vision created a Naukri for Persons with Disabilities . 2023-09-15 . www.theweekendleader.com . English.
10. Web site: Madaik . Devyani . 2022-10-10 . Challenge Of Ensuring Mental Health For People With Disabilities . 2023-09-20 . NDTV-Dettol Banega Swasth Swachh India . en-US.
11. News: How an MBA is helping people with disabilities find work . The Times of India . 2023-09-20 . 0971-8257.
12. News: 2022-05-13 . Autistic painters finding value for their work in a growing market . The Times of India . 2023-09-20 . 0971-8257.
13. Web site: 2022-11-28 . Vineet Saraiwala – A Man With An Atypical Advantage - Nomad Lawyer . 2023-09-21 . nomadlawyer.org . en-US.
14. Web site: Venkatraman . Shai . 2020-12-10 . Launching Atypical Advantage, the talent platform for people with disabilities . 2023-09-15 . Newz Hook Disability News - Changing Attitudes towards Disability . en-US.
15. News: Philip . Susan Joe . 2021-02-12 . Get custom portraits created by artists with disabilities through the Portrait Perfect Valentine initiative . en-IN . The Hindu . 2023-09-20 . 0971-751X.
16. 2022-01-24 . Pepperfry Collaborates with Atypical Advantage to Celebrate Freedom for All . 2023-09-20 . India Retailing . English.
17. 2022-08-08 . 19-year-Old Artist With Autism From Pune Paints His Vision Of Freedom In Honour of 'Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav' . 2023-09-20. Punekar News . en-US.
18. News: 2022-07-21 . Flowers, candy, and now gift a kutcheri! . The Times of India . 2023-09-20 . 0971-8257.
19. Web site: Singh . C. P. . 2023-08-13 . Independence Day Performance: 'Specially Abled' Singer Enthrals Audience . 2023-09-20 . NewZNew . en-US.
20. Web site: Spectacular Singing performance by 13- year- old Tejas Sri Datta at Nexus Vijaya Mall . 2023-09-20 . Expressnews . en-US.
21. Web site: Navi Mumbai: 'Specially-Abled' To Perform On Independence Day At Seawoods Mall . 2023-09-20 . Free Press Journal . en.