The Autism Job Club: The - PowerPoint Presentation

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The Autism Job Club: The Neurodiverse Workforce in the New Normal of Employment

Presentation to the Autism Society

March 9, 2017

Michael Bernick, Sedgwick LLPSlide2

Part I: Snapshot of Autism Employment in March 2017

Great deal of energy and activity in recent years in employment initiatives for the

neurodiverse

workforce.

Extensive infrastructure of job placement activities in government.

Despite the employment initiatives and structures, the employment rates of persons with autism remain very low, estimated at 30% or lower.Slide3

Where We Stand in March 2017 on Employment for the Neurodiverse WorkforceGreat deal of energy and activity in recent years in employment initiatives for the neurodiverse

workforce:Autism at Work and other initiatives of neurodiversity employment and retention in operation by major firms (Microsoft, SAP, Deloitte, Ford Motor Co.,Hewlett Packard, Google, EMC, CAI, Willis Towers Watson); other major firms developing neurodiversity employment initiatives (Facebook, AirBnB, Salesforce). Autism-focused businesses continuing to be launched or expanded (Rising Tide, UltraTesting

, Spectrum Designs, Platinum Bay software, Chocolate Spectrum, SMILE biscotti).Self-employment and internet-based creative collectives (Picasso Einstein, Autistic Creatives Collective, Art of Autism).Slide4

Where We Stand in March 2017 on Employment for the Neurodiverse WorkforceExtensive network of employment services established through the California Dept. of Rehabilitation and Regional Centers.Additional targeted initiatives through: EDD’s Disability Employment Initiative; ETP’s “No More Barriers”, CWDB Accelerator targeted at “adults with disabilities”.

California Community Colleges DSPS services, including employment services.Slide5

Where We Stand in March 2017 on Employment for the Neurodiverse WorkforceDespite all of these initiatives the employment rates for adults with developmental differences remain low (rough estimations at 70% not working steadily).

The number of persons served by the major employer initiatives is modest.Even with the strong national economy, the competition for nearly every job opening is high.Most of the autism-focused businesses and self-employment initiatives are still trying to find stability.Slide6

Part II: Your Own Job Placement Efforts with a Person on the Autism Spectrum

Don’t Go It Alone—Try to Connect with a Job Coach.

Utilize the public workforce system, including the Department of Rehabilitation and Regional Center services.Use all of your networks—be a helicopter parent in the extreme.

Try to “get in the door” through part time work and volunteer work when well-structured.

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Don’t Go It Alone…There is a growing specialty among job coaches of persons who work with adults with autism. Often these coaches are “vendorized” by the Department of Rehab and/or Regional Centers.

If you can find a job coach to work with, do so, while complimenting his or her efforts with your own employment services.

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Utilize the Public Workforce System ResourcesThe “vendorized” job coach is the most direct form of utilizing the public workforce system.Also, any adult on the autism spectrum should be eligible for services through the Local Workforce Development Boards and One-Stop System.

Colleges, community colleges and other post-secondary institutions have their own employment/work experience services for students.

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Use all of your networks; be a helicopter parent in the extremeThe competition for nearly all jobs these days is high.Reach out to family members or friends who might need assistance.

Utilize all of your networks, the best job referral today is from someone who is already in a company.

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Patience, as most job searches take timeWhen I first started in the employment field in 1979, a job seeker could send out a few resumes and expect to get an interview, if not a job. Today, the expectation of nearly all job seekers should be to apply for 30-40 jobs at least.

All you need is one job placement—you don’t need to win an election of employers.Slide11

The structure of employment is changing, with greater roles for part-time employment and contingent employment

Most important to “get in the door”Part-time, contingent employment, project based employment.Volunteer employment when well-structured.

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Part III: The Autism Community Working Together on Employment

Job Clubs and Autism Focused Businesses and Internet Collectives.

Helping each other in job search, and utilization of networks.Slide13

Helping each other in job search

Helping to develop autism employment initiatives in major firms: parents responsible for initiatives in Walgreens, SAP, and most major firms.

Helping others with personal referrals and networks.Slide14

Job Clubs and Autism-Focused Businesses and Internet CollectivesThe Job Club is a way to meet regularly, trade ideas and invite speakers.AASCEND Job Club: speakers and mutual support efforts.Slide15

Part IV: Public Service Employment

Public Service employment largely has fallen out of favor since the late 1970s.It is making a comeback for targeted populations.

Pilot project now being undertaken with the California Conservation Corps, led by Dr. Lou Vismara, founder of the MIND Institute.Slide16

Public Service Employment making a comeback in targeted groups

Public service employment largely discontinued in the early

1980s.

Targeted

demonstration project: Milwaukee “New Hope” project.

Targeted demonstration project: New York City Parks

department

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Public service employment pilot with the California Conservation CorpsPilot to link young persons on the autism spectrum with services for seniorsPilot to launch in May 2017, at several senior centers.

Transitional employment opportunities.Slide18

Part V: The Expansion of Diversity Coordinators, and inclusion of Neurodiversity

Diversity Coordinators at AirBnB, Salesforce, and Facebook, among other firms.

Microsoft joins SAP and Google with targeted autism hiring effort.Slide19

Where do we go from here in 2017Autism coaches and individual effortsAutism community pooling of resources and job clubsAutism initiatives in major firms

Autism-focused businessesAutism-focused internet creatives collectivesPublic service employment pilotsSlide20

Questions?

Michael

Bernick

Counsel, Sedgwick LLP

michael.bernick@sedgwicklaw.com

415.627.1446