ABOUT RUTH:
Ruth's passion is reaching kids with positive messages before they grow up, and too late! As an Emmy award winning animation artist, she founded a non-profit in 2007 to create media for children's character and education, involving students and others to create opportunities to grow and succeed.
You can read more about Ruth and her mission here: http://www.edudesigns.org/blog/thank-you-for-caring/
Ruth's story, Somebody Needs You, premiered at San Diego Comic-Con in 2016.
ABOUT DANI:
Dani Bowman is a remarkable individual whose autism hasn't stopped her, but only added fuel to her creative fire.
Dani has showcased short films at San-Diego Comic-Con each year for the past 4 years, that have included the voice overs of June Foray, Joe Mantegna, Tom Kenny (Sponge Bob) and Stella Ritter. Dani employs others on the spectrum as musicians, artists, and voice actors as well. She combines her six passions: Autism Advocacy, Public Speaking, Animation, Illustration, Fine and Visual Arts, and Teaching Animation to young adults on the spectrum, plus people with disabilities, in hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams.
Since age 15, Dani has taught many summer animation camps around the country. Through Joey Travolta’s Inclusion Films camps, and expanding out on her own, she encourages people that anything is possible.
Her contributions to the autism community have been acknowledged widely including as the first American with Autism honored at Anna Kennedy’s “Wear It for Autism” event in London in October 2014, and the Temple Grandin Award from Future Horizons in 2012.
Additionally, Dani enjoys speaking about autism and the need for self sufficiency and employment. Among other speaking engagements, she was the keynote speaker at Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALICON) 2014, and the keynote speaker at OSACON in November 2015 in Oklahoma City. Dani was the chief animator on Somebody Needs You is the director of EDU DESIGNS. She continues to produce films and teaches animation to others on the spectrum.
Visit: http://danibowman.com/