--- title: 'Understood launches e-zine, for/by, to amplify voices of people with learning and thinking differences ' description: This e-zine on Medium aims to counter misconceptions about learning and thinking differences by sharing real stories, perspectives, and experiences from neurodiverse people. slug: understood-launches-e-zine-for-by-to-amplify-voices-of-people-with-learning published: '2022-02-08T13:48:43.194Z' source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understood-launches-e-zine-for-by-to-amplify-voices-of-people-with-learning lang: en --- # Understood launches e-zine, for/by, to amplify voices of people with learning and thinking differences Seventy million Americans have a learning or thinking difference, like [ADHD](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-adhd) or [dyslexia](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-dyslexia). Many of them are misunderstood, undiagnosed, and dismissed, with their difference viewed as a weakness.  To further our mission of supporting, advocating for, and creating awareness around people who learn and think differently, Understood has launched [*for/by*](https://medium.com/for-by). This e-zine on Medium aims to counter misconceptions about learning and thinking differences by sharing real stories, perspectives, and experiences from neurodivergent people. A collection of first-person essays written *for *everyone, *by* people who learn and think differently, *for/by* covers a range of honest, raw, and sometimes funny topics. Like [forgetting to text back because you have ADHD](https://medium.com/for-by/adhd-and-my-dating-text-game-5ecfea80b214?source=collection_home---------6-------------------------------). Or [navigating ADHD as an adult woman](https://medium.com/for-by/what-does-adhd-look-like-in-a-grown-woman-ask-my-keys-736468697b89). And [facing the “real world” after college graduation](https://medium.com/for-by/facing-the-real-world-with-a-learning-difference-7080c9d6b64e?source=collection_home---------3-------------------------------). With authors spanning different ages, races, genders, sexualities, and learning and thinking differences, *for/by* brings to light the many realities of being neurodivergent in a world that isn’t built for difference.  “It was especially important to include diverse writers, because their perspectives, their experiences, and the support they receive vary from person to person,” said Tara Drinks, *for/by* editor and contributor. Stereotypes and stigmas — “you’re lazy, unmotivated, not smart” — affect those with learning and thinking differences at every stage and in every area of life. At school. At work. In relationships. Our writers’ powerful storytelling and diverse perspectives offer people who *don’t *have experience with learning and thinking differences a way to increase their understanding. And, we hope, change their attitudes.  “The collective and individual voice of those with learning and thinking differences is our most powerful tool to combat stigma,” said Natalie Tamburello, *for/by* author of the article [“Am I Cheating?” Why I Felt Ashamed to Use Dyslexia Accommodations](https://medium.com/@natalie.tamburello). “Creating a shared culture of storytelling, vulnerability, pride, and visibility for people like us is the only way to bring about systemic change.”  The platform also is a source of positive change for our writers. Ryan Douglass, *for/by* author of articles about [misconceptions in the classroom](https://medium.com/for-by/i-thought-fading-into-the-background-was-the-best-option-i-was-wrong-1052ccdd92aa?source=collection_home---------2-------------------------------) and [forgetting to text back](https://medium.com/for-by/adhd-and-my-dating-text-game-5ecfea80b214?source=collection_home---------6-------------------------------), said, “*For/by* allowed me to be transparent about the struggles of growing up with ADHD as a Black kid, and undo the stigma and shame associated with asking professionals for help.” At Understood, we’re focused on making content that is inclusive, representative, and accessible for all. *For/by *builds on this mission and the community that Understood continues to cultivate, including our: - [**Podcast Network**](https://www.understood.org/en/undefined)**:** The Understood Podcast Network provides “real talk” and personal stories for and from people who learn and think differently.  - [**Community Facebook groups**](https://www.facebook.com/Understood/groups)**:** Our community groups bring parents together to learn from each other, chat with experts, and grow their support network.  - **Events:** Understood events, like our [Town Hall](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/taking-n-o-t-e-of-learning-challenges-in-the-new-school-year-town-hall-recap) and [webinars](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/people-projects-the-pandemic-and-partners-understoods-year-in-review), allow parents, educators, and experts to connect, share experiences, and seek or offer tips for supporting people who learn and think differently. To support *for/by, *follow the [page on Medium](https://medium.com/for-by). Read and engage with the content. Share it with your friends and family. And if you have a personal story about your journey with learning and thinking differences that you think could be a fit for *for/by*, find out about [contributing to *for/by*](https://medium.com/for-by/contributing-to-for-by-eadd09135314). Or reach out to [tdrinks@understood.org](mailto:tdrinks@understood.org). --- ## Explore related topics and articles - [Understood’s commitment to accessibility and usability ](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understoods-commitment-to-accessibility-and-usability) - - Accessibility and usability are often thought of as separate or even vastly different. We can bring them together in a frictionless way. - People dont just need equal access to information. They need information that is easy to understand and use. - In the U.S., around 70 million people learn a - [Understood aims to shape the world for difference](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understood-aims-to-shape-the-world-for-difference) - Organization expands mission to support individuals throughout their lives and at scale; empowering people to thrive regardless of difference or disability Refreshed brand, new logo, and enhanced website enable accessibility for all users NEW YORK April 2020 Understood, a social impact organizatio - [Striking out stigma: Understood’s Eye to Eye alumni share how stigma played a role in their journeys to thriving](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/striking-out-stigma) - Eye to Eye is a national, award-winning mentorship organization for students with learning and thinking differences, and a founding partner of Understood. This week, Eye to Eye is observing Strike Out Stigma Week to give every person who learns and thinks differently an opportunity to speak out agai --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understood-launches-e-zine-for-by-to-amplify-voices-of-people-with-learning#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understood-launches-e-zine-for-by-to-amplify-voices-of-people-with-learning","description":"This e-zine on Medium aims to counter misconceptions about learning and thinking differences by sharing real stories, perspectives, and experiences from neurodiverse people."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understood-launches-e-zine-for-by-to-amplify-voices-of-people-with-learning","name":"Understood launches e-zine, for/by, to amplify voices of people with learning and thinking differences "}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2022-02-08T13:48:43.194Z","description":"This e-zine on Medium aims to counter misconceptions about learning and thinking differences by sharing real stories, perspectives, and experiences from neurodiverse people.","headline":"Understood launches e-zine, for/by, to amplify voices of people with learning and thinking differences ","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understood-launches-e-zine-for-by-to-amplify-voices-of-people-with-learning","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```