MMU hosts unique photography exhibition

MMU is hosting a unique photography exhibition as part of the National Autistic Society's Think Differently About Autism campaign. The showcase will give an insight into how people with autism view the world and aims to increase public awareness of autism and change people’s perception of this complex and lifelong developmental disability.

The exhibition, entitled As I See It, launches on Monday 19th November and features pictures of and by ten people with differing degrees of autism from around the country. Renowned photographer Robin Hammond, whose work ranges from photojournalism for The Guardian to portrait photography of celebrities such as Woody Harrelson, has produced a series of portrait photographs of people with autism. Alongside his portraits are photographs taken by the subjects themselves, depicting their own unique experience of autism.

Increasing understanding

Max Horne, a 28 year old young man with Asperger syndrome, is featured in the exhibition. Max is originally from Stockport and now lives at the NAS' residential service in Northenden, Manchester.

Max said: "I had a great time with Robin when he came over to photograph me. I really like the photo that has been chosen for this exhibition as it shows me happy and with my favourite Star Wars model. I think this is a great project and one which will hopefully show people without autism how I see the world. I had a good time taking my own photos of things and places that are important to me and I can’t wait to see them in the exhibition alongside Robin's."

Raising awareness

Nicki Ho, Learning Support Adviser at MMU, said: "When we were contacted by NAS we jumped at the chance to host the As I See It exhibition. There are a number of students with Asperger syndrome studying at MMU - there could be many more as the symptoms of autism can be quite subtle - and we felt the exhibition was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the disability within the University. Providing equal opportunities in education is central to MMU's ethos and the Learning Support Service here helps provide information, advice and support to students with a range of disabilities."

Over 500,000 people have autism in the UK today and over 2 million people are affected by the disability. Autism is characterised by a triad of impairments: difficulties forming social relationships, problems with verbal and non-verbal communication and the development of strong narrow obsessional interests.

The exhibition is free and runs from Monday 19th November to Friday 23rd November 2007 between 9.00am – 5.00pm in the Geoffrey Manton Building. There will be a special launch event at 11.00am on Monday 19th November.

For further information on MMU's Learning Support Service go to www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/studserv/learningsupport.