Launching Atypical Advantage, the talent platform for people with disabilities

Are you looking for a singer, a photographer, or a voice over artist? You will find the talent you are looking for at Atypical Advantage. Launching on 11 December, is India’s first platform for persons with disabilities.

People with disabilities have an incredible range of talent to offer. Now, they finally have a platform to show that to the world.

Launching 11 December is Atypical Advantage, India’s first platform for people with disabilities that brings together people from across the country.

Singers, dancers, voice over artists, painters, and photographers are among the 16 categories that Atypical Advantage is currently offering. Over 200 people with disabilities have already signed up including Pranav Bakhshi, India’s first male model with autism, and models Virali Modi and Simran Chawla.

Atypical Advantage is the brainchild of Vineet Saraiwala, who leads inclusion for Big Bazaar. ‘While trying to hire artists and models for Big Bazaar campaigns I found no talent platform for people with disabilities that worked in a transparent way”, says Vineet, who is visually impaired.

That was the trigger for Atypical Advantage.

Atypical Advantage is that collective talent platform which lists people with disabilities and gives an opportunity to earn a livelihood. The platform will be free and open for all persons with disabilities and there will be no charge levied – the talent or the person/company hiring them. – Vineet Saraiwala, Founder, Atypical Advantage

From massage therapists to sign language interpreters, Atypical Advantage will aggregate talent in any sphere.

“The main focus of the website is talent”, says Vineet. The site will also host paintings by disabled artists. “So, you can buy paintings off the site or commission specific paintings. Like there’s a young painter with autism who paints only Lord Ganesh”, says Vineet. Apart from paintings, you will find products made by people with disabilities like handmade soaps and yoga mats.

Ideally those wishing to post their talent must submit a disability certificate. Given that many people may not have one, Vineet says some system of verification will come into place. He hopes to see Atypical Advantage evolve into a platform where the entire disabled community gets involved.

“This is a platform that aims to empower these individual artists so they can empower people across the country”, he says. “A lot of volunteers have come together to make this happen. Our message is simple – Help persons with disability create their own buyers”.

Come together and make this happen. Check out the site here.

Watch in Sign Language

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• Anshuman Kar, a non-verbal painter with autism, reveals hidden depths of feeling in his art