Why We Started
Change is needed …
Conceived in 2006 by its founder, Toby Hewson (a young man with cerebral palsy), JUSTDIFFERENT was formed to make a positive difference to the lives of both disabled and non disabled people. With a passionate interest in the education system, Toby decided to use his years of voluntary experience as a springboard for creating an organisation educating children and young people about disability and difference.
When visiting primary and secondary schools, Toby observes that children and young people respond to his physical difference with imagination and curiosity. They view his wheelchair and communicator with fascination, learning that they are simply tools to assist him with his active life.
Change is possible
We believe that real change is possible in the way that people view those with disabilities. Free from the preconceived ideas that many adults hold, children engage with our Presenters with open-minded enthusiasm.
Our Presenters use multimedia, discussion and games to demonstrate that, though they have a disability, they can do almost anything other young people can do.
Today’s children and young people are tomorrow’s employers, policy makers and educators. To impress upon them that disabled people can achieve, participate and lead just like them, is the ultimate goal of JUSTDIFFERENT.