“People with a different appearance often face discrimination and unfair treatment, especially at school or when looking for a job. But a study we did in Taiwan found that among the general public, 1 person out of 8 has also experienced negative treatment because of appearance. Judging people by how they look is prevalent in our society, that’s why we feel that Face Equality is a basic right. By promoting Face Equality, we not only hope to improve the status of people with facial disfigurement, but we also hope to create a friendlier environment, more equal and more respectful of diversity.”
Ms. Ching-Hsien SHU,
CEO, Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan
“A vital step in any burn survivor’s recovery is accepting their changed appearance and gaining confidence in social situations. For many, this is a long, difficult journey – but it doesn’t have to be. Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors is proud to be a founding member of Face Equality International, an exciting step toward elevating people with scars and facial conditions. Together, we can reduce bias and promote acceptance on a global scale.”
Amy Acton
Executive Director of Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors
“Every day I see young people struggling to be part of their societies because of the way they look. I will never forget the bright young woman I met in Bulgaria who was living in a special needs home after years of being in care because she has a cleft — and looks different. Face Equality International has been a long time coming and will raise awareness globally, harnessing the energies of all of us who know that face equality is a basic human right.”
Gareth Davies
CEO at the European Cleft Organisation
“AboutFace is pleased to be a part of Face Equality International. Our vital goal of challenging stereotypes, ignorance, and discrimination of individuals living with facial differences will build on the work of member organizations, bringing international awareness to face equality and moving to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of individuals living with facial differences.”
Danielle Griffin
Executive Director of AboutFace
“We are delighted that this new organisation will address the issue of inequality for people living with visible differences and disfigurements across the world. Face Equality International will play an important role in highlighting the abuse and stigma that still too many people with a visible difference face, working with the international community to bring about positive change.”
David Clayton
Chair, Changing Faces, UK
“People with craniofacial differences live in a world many of us wouldn’t recognize – they face judgment and discrimination based on their appearance, often from people who otherwise believe they have moved past this kind of prejudice. It’s vital that we work together globally to fight this bias, which is sadly present in every nation and every culture. Let us act together to bring facial equality into the discussion about how humanity will end discrimination.”
Lynne Mayfield
President, FACES: The National Craniofacial Association
‘As a founding member of Face Equality International, Smile Train is proud to work alongside others to further raise the profile for societal and economical inclusion for those living with facial disfigurements, such as clefts, and in turn create a lasting transformational impact for these individuals and their communities.’
Susannah Schaefer
President & CEO, Smile Train
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When I didn’t want to deal with pointed fingers or questioning looks while out in public, I could just let down my shield of long hair to cover as much of it as I needed. Now that’s not an option.
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To advance equality, we must stop fearing our differences, recognize our conscious and unconscious biases, and shift our focus to our unique strengths and talents. End the worn-out tropes and stereotypes and normalize disfigurement.
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Casting people with facial disfigurement as confident and capable would help to change negative attitudes and false misconceptions. Continuing to ignore, exclude, or misrepresent us perpetuates the stigma, prejudice, and discrimination.
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