'Not Special Needs' Aims to Break Barriers for Those with Disabilities
Riley von Niessen — April 14, 2017 — Marketing
'Not Special Needs' is the name of a humorous campaign that was created for World Down Syndrome Day, which occurs annually on March 21st.
The short commercial features Lauren Potter, who's best known for her role on 'Glee,' and John McGinley, of 'Scrubs.' Potter starts out the video by showing how absurd the use of the phrase "special needs" is when it comes to describing those with down syndrome, as she believes that it is much more obstructive than it is accommodating. She goes on to give examples of what some "special needs" could be, comically including the need to eat dinosaur eggs, wear a giant suit of armour, or be massaged by a cat.
Not Special Needs concludes by showing that those with down syndrome simply require access to education, jobs, opportunities, friends, and love, just like everybody else.
The short commercial features Lauren Potter, who's best known for her role on 'Glee,' and John McGinley, of 'Scrubs.' Potter starts out the video by showing how absurd the use of the phrase "special needs" is when it comes to describing those with down syndrome, as she believes that it is much more obstructive than it is accommodating. She goes on to give examples of what some "special needs" could be, comically including the need to eat dinosaur eggs, wear a giant suit of armour, or be massaged by a cat.
Not Special Needs concludes by showing that those with down syndrome simply require access to education, jobs, opportunities, friends, and love, just like everybody else.
Trend Themes
1. Inclusive Advertising - Creating advertising campaigns that challenge discriminatory labels and promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.
2. Humor in Social Causes - Using humor as a powerful tool to raise awareness and break barriers for marginalized communities.
3. Reframing Special Needs - Shifting the narrative around special needs to focus on access to education, jobs, opportunities, friends, and love for individuals with disabilities.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - Opportunity for advertising agencies to create inclusive campaigns that challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity for individuals with disabilities.
2. Entertainment - Opportunity for entertainers and TV/film industry to feature actors with disabilities and showcase their talent while breaking stereotypes.
3. Education - Opportunity for educational institutions to prioritize access to quality education and inclusive learning environments for individuals with disabilities.
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