The Exception Directory

A growing collection of people, practices and projects that challenge assumptions and reimagine what’s possible when inclusion leads. Connecting with these Exceptions helps build emotional understanding, broadens perspective, and deepens motivation to design with care. By engaging with lived experience, we find fresh insight and new inspiration - fuel for more meaningful and innovative change.

An athlete with a prosthetic leg and a prosthetic arm is throwing a shot put on an outdoor track field.

Tyrone

Tyrone is a Paralympic champion and outspoken advocate from South Africa. Charismatic and principled, he pushes for better inclusion for people with mobility impairments — earning deep respect as both a teammate and changemaker.

Close-up of a young man with dark skin and beard, wearing a light-colored shirt, standing indoors with blurred background.

Isaac

Isaac is a bold, kind video producer and model redefining life with limb/pelvic hypo/aplasia. By sharing his story and building community, he challenges exclusion and reshapes how disability is seen and experienced.

A man in a green Under Armour jacket smiling and holding a gold medal with a red, white, and black ribbon.

Jason

Jason is a gold medallist Paralympian, husband, and father. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease, he is registered blind. He challenges perceptions of disability in sport and now focuses on mentoring athletes and improving accessibility in cities and services worldwide.

Young man wearing a gray Reebok t-shirt, holding a white cane, shopping center with people in the background.

Christian

Christian, 19, taught himself English through music and media. Now training as a software engineer, he navigates life with visual impairment — determined, insightful, and quietly passionate about the things he loves.

A smiling woman with long gray hair wearing a dark top, sitting in a white chair with a patterned curtain in the background.

Lisa

Lisa, in her 40s and living in Mansfield, takes a holistic approach to managing MS. Through yoga, cold water therapy and mindful living, she adapts to changing symptoms — all while staying true to her identity, style, and independence.

A woman with straight hair looking down, working on a project with her hands.

Cris

Cris is an artist and accessibility advisor who began her career as a lawyer. After losing her sight due to diabetes at 21, she turned to sculpture and inclusive design, helping major museums make art more accessible for visually impaired visitors.

A woman with dark hair tied back, wearing glasses, a dark blazer, and a dark polo shirt, stands outdoors in an urban setting with tall buildings in the background.

Ramneek

Ramneek is a rising star — a young woman with a visual impairment tackling engineering and advocacy head-on. Winner of a Samsung prize, she’s determined to change the world for those with visual impairment through innovation and lived insight.

A woman wearing a white headscarf and white clothing is speaking into a microphone and smiling during a presentation or event.

Waad

Waad, in her early 20s, is a tech enthusiast and disability inclusion advocate from Kuwait. Born blind, she holds a degree in English Literature and speaks powerfully about the exclusion she faces — especially in digital spaces, where accessibility is only halfway there.

A woman in a wheelchair with a neck pillow, wearing a beige t-shirt and beige pants, looking serious, with a gray background.

Tess

Tess is a vibrant influencer whose charisma and style shine through her thoughtful content. Living with SMA, she navigates a world not designed for her — with independence, ambition, and a presence that is both iconic and welcoming.

A woman wearing a yellow beanie, black jacket with blue lining, and a nose piercing, smiling widely and showing her teeth against a dark wooden background.

Frit

Frit is a filmmaker, podcast host and queer advocate. A transgender man navigating ‘puberty 2.0,’ he explores identity through fashion, wellness and creativity — embracing a slower, more intentional life beyond hustle culture.

Child with glasses smiling in a colorful play area

Eshaan

Eshan, 9, is autistic, has dyspraxia, and is tube fed. Though he faces daily challenges, his positive outlook shines through. Supported by his caring family, Eshan is shielded from negativity and encouraged to experience life with optimism and joy.

A woman with short, dark hair smiling indoors, wearing a white shirt.

Luna 

Luna is a vibrant force of nature living with MS. Joyful, resilient, and always up for a challenge — whether boxing or climbing — she uses movement and adventure to express her strength, adaptability, and love for life.