About Differences

Written by Keith Mckenzie - creator of the Autism Challenge & Differences initiatives

The Differences is a family of initiatives to highlights and challenge awareness with individual with invisible difficulties from High-functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome throughout to Dyslexia and learning based mental health issues. 

This initiative is highlighted round the family of brand names Differences and Autism Challenge:
The content areas of the initiative is broken up in these main areas:

Differences Campaign
A campaign to challenge society and the system attitude towards everyone who has invisible difficulties

Differences Creative
A project using art and design and translate awareness visually

Issues and topics

Background analysis on featured subjects

Resources

This will be the place for informative references based on subjects featured on this website

Differences was developed after over a decade of projects under the autism challenge initiative. 

Click here for more about the Autism Challenge initiative

The first signs of differences projects started as a campaign with 4 poster designs. The campaign was to challenge the negative attitude anyone with hidden difficulties. In 2005 Differences campaign posters were on display as part of Autism Awareness Week event in at the University of Birmingham. The event was organised by the support charity autism west midlands.

In 2008 a visual art project was launched online, entitled "Stop the freaks and the clown attitude" highlighting examples of intolerance and the negative certain people face. This was originally exclusively shown online via my personal facebook page and only my social networking friends could access the project.  I did receive a variety of positive and constructive responses. This project was originally focused related to people with autism under the autism challenge banner. However because certain people who did not have autism also responded they also related to some of issued featured I decide to expanded part of the wider differences initiative. 

In 2011 the Differences website was launched and as part of the plan autism challenge moved its online content to the and become part of the Differences website. With the Differences website (including Autism Challenge) more can be developed with integrated initiatives, campaigns and projects in one place.

A series of focused awareness projects was created associated with key awareness events. It is called Differences Awareness Series when a number of special features and content are highlighted. This ranges from design presentation of statistics & quotes and written insights. During 2011 and 2013 specialised awareness content was created related to awareness Depression and Autism. More areas to be planned including Mental Health, Human Rights, Dyslexia and Suicide Prevention.

During 2012 a creative campaign project called "Avoid the easy response" and was developed to avoid the most obvious reactions and responses towards Mental or hidden Difficulties 

In addition some Autism Challenge projects was developed during 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014 including "Don't Demonise people with autism" and "Moving Forwards".

Written insights and resources was developed against certain projects including: "Stop blaming People for their Differences", "Stop the Freaks..", "Brighter Future" and the "Asperger Syndrome Survey". Also focused issues was created including how the cuts in the UK's public services can affects individuals and families with invisible difficulties.

An example of the Moving Forwards project was featured on a special designed mug presentation to students, staff and lectures at University of Birmingham for World Autism awareness day in 2014.

The Differences awareness project in 2015 was evolved and rebranded as Differences & Autism Challenge and become connected with the initiative Plus Value Awareness. A series of projects to encourage the general public and society as a whole to get involved. Also to develop products and services which shape a strategy to promote a better sense of value towards independent young people and adults with invisible difficulties. Click here to the Plus Value Awareness website

Major structure changes occurred in 2016 with Differences & Autism Challenge along with Plus Value Awareness is becomes part of a parent identity Plus Value Fusion as presented as portfolio of social aim services & products for business, communities & the rest of society.

Please note this website will not be aimed at personality related mental health however the entire mental health spectrum will be highlighted generally on certain occasions for specific campaigns.