Employment Panel 8: Transparency Is The Missing Piece
Event Details:
Location
Click Here to Watch the Webinar Recording - Employment Panel 8: Transparency Is The Missing Piece
Transparency Is The Missing Piece
Moderator: Cole Hasserjian
Objectives:
Create transparency checklists for the employer, the job seeker, the support agencies and the support networks.
Eric Steward, Director, Transformative Autism Program, Meristem
I was introduced to "special needs" as a 5th grader in 1986 at my elementary school outside of Washington DC. For some reason it mattered to me to provide access to our playground lunchtime recess games for the kids who "didn't look like us". That instinct has stayed alive for my entire life and career. Today I focus on adapting and modifying "the norms" to better help neurodiverse people find, secure and sustain meaningful employment. This is done through an equal focus on the job seeker, the employer, the support agencies and the support network.
Harrison Lane, Coordinator, Meristem
I am 32 years old, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder when I was in the 6th grade. When I was 24 years old I found Meristem, a transitional school for young adults with autism and neurodiversity near Sacramento. During my time at Meristen, a bill passed in the CA congress, Breaking Barriers. Since Meristem helped those with Autism we were asked to help. We built a training for employers on how to hire and retain individuals with Autism and Neurodiversity into their workplace. This became The Transformative Autism Program (TAP). During my time here I was the manager of our student run bed and breakfast, and I was also a job coach during our summer internship in our cafe. When Meristem got more money for the TAP program I came back to be the TAP Coordinator. I have been in this role full time since 2022. In this role I have worked with tons of individuals with autism/ neurodiversity, helping them with job supports. I have done customized employment amongst other things to help these folks get and keep meaningful employment. I have also trained many many companies on how to hire/retain individuals with autism/neurodiversity into their workplace.