The most beautiful thing about autumn is the change that it brings. The leaves slowly turn hues of orange and brown and the cool breeze starts to wrap the world with a soft blow of coldness. It is within this season that we see change — and change is what SPECTRUM 2020 aims to bring. The Person With Disabilities (PWD) sector has seen changes over the past decade such as the introduction of the PWD card. The story of Ateneo Special Education Society (Ateneo SPEED) sprouted from that same imagining of an inclusive society filled with love and acceptance. As diversity continues to bloom in today’s world, there are still voices within the sector that need amplification. In response to that need, Ateneo SPEED held a fundraiser called Spectrum.
Spectrum is a fundraising project with the theme of autumn wonderland. From November 2 – 21, 2020, Ateneo SPEED speaks of acceptance through the tagline: “embracing the beauty of diversity.” This project aims to share the stories of the PWDs by turning their art into merchandise such as shirts, shorts, and stickers in order to reach a broader audience. In addition, all of the proceeds made would go to beneficiaries and partner institutions which are the following: Guanella Home Center, St. Francis Integrated Arts School, Precious Gem Academy, Laro Lapis at Libro, Cottolengo Filipino, Child’s World, Barangka SPED School, Cottolengo Filipino, and Bandi Elementary School. Transparency posts have been made available on the official Spectrum Facebook page regarding the profits.
Thus, Spectrum has become an avenue for people to connect with and learn more about the sector by showcasing their creativity, and eye for design. Spread through social media, promotional materials advertising the merchandise featured the artists and even quotes from them. By doing so, this became a project for and with the sector. This is a project that hopes to be the introduction of wider societal understanding of the sector.
Truly, as the days come to an end and the fundraising comes to a close, the days of autumn also fall short of longitude. The change still remains, though. No one ever walks away from beautiful art unchanged. It is no surprise that just like the season, this autumn wonderland will also come to an end. With an end however also means a beginning — just as seasons come and go. At the end of this, Ateneo SPEED hopes to bring other people in the world of the PWD. To see them as talented, beautiful, and more than capable.
ADVT
