Dawn Danner, the Director of the Uniquely Abled Academy, participated as a panelist for a Neurodiversity in the Workplace seminar on Tuesday May 6. The workshop was put on by the Workforce Development Institute (WDI) in Albany. WDI is a statewide non-profit that works to increase opportunities for all New Yorkers to succeed in the workforce. Their work supports partners from the labor movement, employers, and education and training organizations to think and act differently regarding hiring, training, and retaining an inclusive and productive workforce.
Dawn spoke about the value and talent that neurodivergent individuals bring to the workforce. As many as 85% of people with autism are either underemployed or unemployed. Unfortunately, many neurodivergent individuals do not even make it past the initial review of their resume because they may not write as well as others or they don’t have a lot of work experience to add to their resume. Hiring managers can make simple changes to their recruiting and interviewing procedures to make those with autism and other disabilities feel more comfortable and prepared to face an interview. People with disabilities may not interview they same way as neurotypical individuals and expectations like sitting still and making eye contact may need to be modified in order for these individuals to be successful in the hiring process. Dawn explained that changing this paradigm begins with educating employers and those who make the hiring decisions. That is the first step in being more inclusive and accepting when it comes to neurodiversity in the workplace.