Misfits Camp seeks to train creative PWDs to become more productive

The Philippines has to step up in promoting disability to enable more persons with disabilities (PWDs) to become more productive members of society.

In her talk, Misfits chairmom Merlee Jayme said the country needs a lot of catching up to do to uplift the plight of the PWDs. “But in the Philippines, we’re so way back and so a lot of foreigners are talking to us, but little steps as we strive for more awareness,” “But in the Philippines, we’re so way back and so a lot of foreigners are talking to us. We are taking baby steps,” said Jayme in her talk at the recently concluded “Working beyond Barriers: When Social Good Meets Business Sense” conference organized by the Philippine Business and Disability Network  held in Pasay City.

Jayme said her organization is helping PWDs by training them in her own school called Misfits Camp. Whether natural or learned, the multi-awarded advertising executive said she is currently looking, training, developing PWDs who are curious, inquisitive, challenging the status quo, and thinking out of the box of doing things.  

Jayme lamented that society is forcing PWDs to fit into the standard norm. However, she said PWDs should instead celebrate uniqueness and embrace diversity. “Instead, let’s celebrate uniqueness and embrace diversity. What the problem with the world is they are trying to make us fit,” Jayme pointed out.

She said PWDs can introduce creativeness in the pressure-laden workplace such as the advertising and creatives industries. Jayme also pointed out that a divergent creative environment can be created by PWDs such as such as the graphic designers who worked for government projects for the Department of Education.

Despite their so-called handicaps, Jayme said the PWDs is a  powerful circle because it is a special group as  it covers a lot of illnesses or disorders such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, learning disability, mental health issues such as bipolar autism, dyspraxia, disorder on signed number, among others.

“You have creativity, authenticity, hyper focus, resilience, sensory awareness and other vital characteristics that could be harnessed given the proper support and guidance,” Jayme said.

Jayme pointed out the harnessing the new abilities of the PWDs will not require a huge effort. “All the people need is to come out to be trained in problem solving skills in what they used to think of,” she said.

All we need are fresh perspective, unbelievable focus, an eye for mind and details and strong visual communication,” Jayme emphasized.

Also in her talk, Jayme presented a short video on the achievements of Lex Remalante, a female PWD (dyslexic) graphic designer who works in Arla, Copenhagen in Denmark.

 Furthermore, she said the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) has been a good enabler for Remalante in producing higher quality of output in her work.

Meanwhile, Jayme said PWDs trained by Misfits for employability drew anime, robots and Star Wars. Jayme said promoting PWD diversity is right now undergoing small steps “but we are getting there.” “There is much conversation about hiring the new diverse in the advertising and marketing fields abroad.