I only see with my heart | Athena Kritikou | TEDxAthens

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Athena came to realize that 10% of the population is both invisible and excluded by the other 90%. Since 2008, she is focusing on the ways society will deconstruct stereotypes of prejudice, bias and indifference to overcome discrimination of people with disability.

Athena founded SKEP – Association of Social Responsibility for Children and Youth, envisioning a society of equal rights and opportunities, where all people will feel accepted and useful without discriminations.
She has been President of the Board since the organisation was established in 2008 in Athens until today.
With a purpose to fight social stigma and the exclusion of young people with disabilities, SKEP works as a communication and social inclusion platform. Using an innovative experiential methodology and unconventional education it connects young people with disabilities, or living under adverse conditions, with Primary and Secondary Education students.
Through SKEP's panhellenic interactive programs, Athena has reached more than 20,000 young people (general and special education), teachers, parents and the wider public. She collaborates with more than 250 institutional, public and private bodies and schools.
For the last seven years, she has focused on "how" society can tear down the stereotypes and prejudice that lead to the isolation and social exclusion of "different" people.
She grew up in France, from where she came back in 1990. She studied Economics at the Assas – Paris II University. She has worked in advertising and communication consulting until the organisation was established.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)