Strengthening Employment Opportunities for Autistic PeopleDharma Bums Brownbag | Jan. 18, 2013
Scott Michael Robertson, MHCIPh.D. Candidate (ABD), Information Sciences and [email protected] | [email protected]
Co-Founder & Vice Chair, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)Council Member, Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities CouncilMember, U.S. Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Can you name this event?
Lives Worth LivingDocumentary that aired on PBS’ Independent Lens series in
Fall & Winter 2011
Chronicles the history of the disability rights movement from the 1960s through the 1990s
Profiles the work of several key disability rights leaders (e.g., Judy Heumann, Ed Roberts, Justin Dart, Fred Fay, Judi Chamberlain, Patrisha Wright, Bob Kafka, Michael Winter, etc.)
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlXm9NJDacM
Story Line Pictures (the film maker) is selling a DVD for $15 at <http://www.storylinemotionpictures.com/PurchaseHome.htm
Will likely soon be available on iTunes for less money (probably $3-$5 rental; $10-$15 purchase)
Some Notes on Language Usage:Identity-First Language for AutismThe Autistic Self-Advocacy & Allied community
often prefer identity-first language (e.g., autistic people) over person-first language (e.g., people with autism) to refer to autistic adults & youth (all persons carrying an autism spectrum identification)Reflects the view that autism forms part of the
human identity & way of being of autistic people
Draws from the blind & Deaf communities & cultures [blind, deaf people]
Sometimes we use bridging terms (e.g., people on the autism spectrum) to refer to autistic people
Autistic Community of Israel
Some Notes on Language Usage:Functional Language & AutismThe phrases “high-functioning” (HF) and “low-
functioning” (LF) appear widely in written & spoken discourse to describe autistic people
HF & LF reflect a false dichotomy Autism is a far more diverse neurological-
developmental disability than these grading levels indicate
Dichotomy not supported by research Functioning is always contextual & situational
HF/LF use can be disrespectful of autistic people HF->minimizes barriers, challenges, difficulties LF->minimizes gifts, talents, abilities
www.neuro-typical.com
Grading Peoplehttp://vimeo.com/12901883
9-minute video produced by an autistic rights advocate to highlight problems w/ the usage of the terms “high functioning” and “low-functioning” to grade autistic adults & youth
Describes broader history of grading people w/ disabilities (including usage to characterize people w/ intellectual & developmental disabilities)
Two New Natl. Centers on Employment for People w/ Disabilities
Funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office for Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)
ASAN serves as a partner and sub-grantee on both grants
1. National Disability Institute’s National Center on Leadership for the Employment and Economic Advancement of People with Disabilities (LEAP)
2. RESNA’s Accessible Technology Action Center (ATEC)
1. National Disability Institute’s LEAP Center
Conducts policy and research initiatives to improve employment outcomes for job seekers with disabilities
Translates emerging and successful employment solutions identified through demonstration projects and research into policy and practice
Assists ODEP’s work to encourage innovative practices and facilitate their implementation at the workforce system and individual levels
2. RESNA’s ATEC Center
Facilitates and promotes use of accessible technologies to hire, employ, retain, and advance career opportunities of people with disabilities
Promotes knowledge, technical skills, tools, and leadership issues to address accessibility issues
Seeks to expand access to information and communication technologies used by people with disabilities in the workplace
Raises awareness of the impact that critical accessible workplace technologies have on competitive employment opportunities
New Book on Employment for Autistic People Under Development
ASAN plans to publish in 2013 a new book on employment for autistic adults
The new book will carry the title of An Autistic View of Employment
ASAN’s Technical Assistance on Employment
ASAN provides technical assistance to companies to help them hire autistic employees
Since 2011, ASAN has partnered with Freddie Mac to help them hire autistic interns
ASAN has begun to forge ties with other companies on how to hire and support autistic employees
Improving Self-Determination for People with Disabilities
Research has shown that self-determined people with intellectual and developmental disabilities fair better in integrated employment. They earn better wages and have access to greater work hours.
How can we improve the self-determination of autistic youth and adults living here in the State College area?
How can we improve the self-determination of autistic youth and adults living in other areas?
Postsecondary Transition for Youth and Adults with DisabilitiesThe Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 mandates that students with disabilities receive appropriate services to plan for postsecondary transition starting at age 16 or younger. (PA has a mandatory starting age of 14.) Recent research reports by the Institute for Educational Science indicate that transition services have not effectively improved employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
How can we bolster our transition services to improve employment outcomes for autistic adults here in State College and in other places?
What new ideas should we consider to improve transition for autistic adults?
Assistive Technologies to Enhance Employment Outcomes
People with disabilities who have access to needed low-tech and high-tech assistive technologies (AT) fare better in life outcomes. They experience greater access to community living, higher education, and employment.
How can we improve access to and usage of AT (low-tech and high-tech) by autistic adults?
What AT can we employ to strengthen access to integrated employment for autistic people?
What new possibilities should we consider when we think of autistic adults’ use of low-tech and high-tech AT?
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