Face Equality International

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Despite no shortage of statistics and accounts of likely discrimination, there is still a lack of public recognition of the rights or treatment of people with visible and facial differences. Our workplace training helps to break down these barriers, bringing insights that may not have been considered before. Our programme is backed by expert knowledge and statistics, but also through the lived experience of our trainers and first-hand stories from our community. This not only directly equips and empowers the teams that we’re training, it also helps fund our wider work. Supporting our efforts to ensure this community is not overlooked by equality laws, absent from policies, or ignored in moves towards diversity and inclusion. It all ties together. With your help, we can build a world where everyone is supported, respected, and no one is left behind. Learn more about our workplace training via the link in our bio! Image description: White background with text that reads: “There is not truly inclusion until it is for everyone”. Quote from Face Equality International workplace training attendee. #FaceEquality #FacialDifference #VisibleDifference #Inclusion

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The importance of authentic representation of facial and visible differences in the media is something we champion year-round. But particularly at this time of year, around Halloween, we see a rise in the misrepresentation of facial differences and the negative impact this has on the community. People with facial differences are not evil, dangerous, costumes or objects of pity. These stereotypes have the potential to influence how people with visible differences are treated in everyday life. They can contribute to stigma, bullying, discrimination and exclusion. We see it play out in real-time, time and time again. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The stories we see across media in film, television, gaming, beauty, fashion and more have the power to shape public perception of facial and visible differences. Let’s ensure it’s done right. Learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved via the link in our bio. Stay tuned for more on this this month! Image description: Image 1: All images are black background with white and yellow text. Text reads: “Media consistently creates links between visible differences, villainy and victimhood. These tired stereotypes haunt this community year-round. Let’s do better.” The Face Equality International logo is shown as well as a Fear No Face hashtag. Image 2: Text reads: “Characters and costumes can often mimic, mock or create fear towards facial and visible differences. Masks, prosthetics and makeup looks featuring scars, burns and other real-life conditions are marketed as ‘scary’, ‘spooky’ or ‘monster-like’. It’s important we all think about the storylines and costumes that we’re surrounded by, and what messages they may be sending”. A Fear No Face hashtag is shown. Image 3: Text reads: “Characters with visible difference are often framed as: Villains and Vigilantes. These stories overwhelmingly centre hate, bitterness and rage. Their visible difference is often framed as a key arc in their villainous spiral. Victims and Outcasts. These characters often lack agency and autonomy, framed as needing to be rescued by others. Hiding from society, their stories often centre on shame. We all deserve more than this”. Image 4: Text reads: “Representation Matters. Learn more via our website: www [dot] face equality international [dot] org [forward slash] fear [hyphen] no [hyphen] face. A Fear No Face hashtag is also shown. #FearNoFace #VisibleDifference #FacialDifference #RepresentationMatters

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From unlocking smartphones and accessing bank accounts, to proving your right to work and using e-gates at airports. Facial recognition technology is becoming increasingly embedded in products, spaces and services - leaving many with facial differences unable to access them. @Caoimhe | Facial Difference who has nerve damage from bells palsy, was unable to verify her ID during a right to work check when the technology asked for movements such as winking. Passport gates are another process that Caoimhe dreads using, knowing she will get separated out and asked invasive medical questions in a public space. FEI Ambassador Melanie Grimsley, a burns survivor, has also had multiple difficulties with FRT, including with the government's gov. uk one login identity service. Her face wasn’t recognised, and explains the psychological impact of coming up against a system that says it can’t recognise you as human. Our CEO Phyllida Swift highlights the scale of how many people with a wide variety of facial differences are being negatively impacted by this technology, and what we’re doing about it. FEI is working with a research team at @Northumbria Uni (including Melanie Grimsley!) to more deeply understand the harms that are being caused. If you have lived experience of a facial difference and have been impacted by FRT of any kind, you can get involved through the anonymous diary entry study! Learn more and join the study, or watch last week's BBC Morning Live piece via the links in our bio! (Segment starts 14 minutes in) Image description: Black background with text highlighted in white and yellow that reads: “facial recognition and facial difference”. Smaller white text reads: “on BBC Morning Live!” Photos show Phyllida, Melanie and Caoimhe - who all have facial differences, being interviewed for the piece. #FaceEquality #FacialDifference #FRT #FacialRecognition #DigitalInclusion