CPB Learning Lab has been offering the ‘Hey!’ visual storytelling workshops for individuals with disability and neurodivergence. This Daan Utsav, we request your generous support to help us share their work as a public-art exhibition, offer workshops and programs with experts at the upcoming Chennai Photo Biennale festival! 

What are the Hey! Workshops?
The Hey! Visual Storytelling Workshops were established by the CPB Learning Lab in 2023 for individuals with neurodivergence and intellectual and physical disabilities. The workshops use mobile phone photography and app-based activities as an art form for verbal and non-verbal individuals to express themselves. These monthly workshops provide an environment of inclusivity and sharing of stories through simple and fun activities and interactions.

Photography as a therapeutic art form 
Did you know that In India, about 2.2 million people are either neurodivergent or disabled according to the National Institute of Mental Health and NeuroSciences (NIMHANS). A research found by Professor Denise C. Park from the University of Texas states that Photography as a highly cognitive activity, helps improve brain activity and overall creates a positive effect on an individuals’ mental well being.

Photography offers a simple yet powerful tool for self-expression, emotional regulation, and social connection. It empowers neurodivergent individuals, as they have a heightened sensory perception that allows them to examine and understand details in ways that neurotypical people often can’t. Disabled individuals with motor abilities have been making excellent strides in performing arts and visual arts across the world.

Request for your support
A public-art exhibition of their work is being planned from 20 Feb -16 Mar 2025 (tentative) at a public space in Chennai as part of the upcoming Chennai Photo Biennale festival. This Daan Utsav, we request for your generous support to showcase the images made by the participants of our Hey! Workshops and others to celebrate their creative abilities with the world!

Your support will go towards:

• The production of this public-art exhibition in Chennai - Rs.2,00,000
• Printing and mounting of prints - Rs. 1,50,000
• Hiring a partner to help make our exhibitions inclusive for the visually impaired by generating descriptions of the works via QR codes - Rs. 50,000
• Volunteers and coordinators for the exhibition period who will help us during the exhibition and programs - Rs. 50,000
• Mentors for the workshops - Rs. 50,000

Please note:
Target 1 - Rs. 4,00,000  - To make the exhibition a reality with volunteers
Target 2 - Rs. 1,00,000 - To facilitate the QR coding for the visually impaired and to facilitate the workshops

Why you must support this fundraiser
- You will be supporting a much needed inclusivity initiative
- You will be giving the participants their first ever exhibition of their work
- You will have the opportunity to meet these participants at their show
- You will receive a Hey! Thank you postcard
- You will have the goodwill of the community
- You will surely feel good about supporting a community that has lesser opportunity to participate
- Inclusivity needs to be acted on, not just spoken about
- You will be part of a change we all wish to see!

Join us this Daan Utsav in making our world more inclusive!

Check out our previous workshops on our website here, and follow us on our social media here to stay tuned!

Spread the word and encourage your friends and networks to come together to support the Hey! Exhibition and programs!