April is Autism Acceptance Month! This month, we celebrate all of the contributions of autistic people to our society and encourage you to take action to create a more inclusive society. If you want to take your next step, reach out to us, and we are happy to help connect you! 

NEN Announcements

April 26th Event – Join us on April 26th for our next quarterly meeting at SEI in Oaks, PA! Join us to learn and connect around the topic of neurodiversity and employment in the Greater Philadelphia area and network with others. There is also an opportunity to join virtually to view the speakers if you are unable to join in person.  Learn more and register here.

Ohana Farm Matching Gift Challenge – We’re on a mission to raise $5,000 by the end of April to help support our work! We need your help to ensure we can continue our work in the community. DOUBLE your impact with a gift today. Click here to donate. The Ohana Farm Matching Gift Challenge applies to gifts made between 9:00 AM EST on April 1, 2023 and 11:59 PM on April 30, 2023, up to a maximum total donation amount of $5,000.

May 24th Career Meet Up: West Chester University D-CAP and Drexel University Center for Autism & Neurodiversity, in partnership with NEN: Philadelphia, will be hosting a career meet up for job-seekers and employers to connect in a relaxed environment. The event will be held at West Chester University on May 24, 2023 from 10:00am-12:00 PM. More information to follow. If you are interested in attending as a job-seeker or as an employer, you can indicate your interest using this form.

This Month’s Events!: We are always updating in person and virtual events on our Events Calendar. Be sure to check it out and submit any events you’d like included! 

Sponsorship Opportunities: NEN: Philadelphia is seeking partnerships with businesses and organizations who may be interested in sponsoring our events and work throughout the year! A breakfast and coffee sponsorship is available for the April event. For more information on next steps, please email cait@neurodiversityemploymentnetwork.org.

Job & Internship Opportunities

Community Autism Peer Specialist – The Community Autism Peer Specialist is a part time role in Philadelphia, PA. This is a hybrid work from home position, with required in-person participant visits and occasional office days. Must meet requirements for Community Autism Peer Specialist Training (training will be offered upon hiring) OR be credentialed as a Community Autism Peer Specialist. Learn more here.

Constituent Services Administrator | Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities – The Office of Diversity & Inclusion is looking for a professional individual who is a results-oriented candidate who has exceptional communication, organizational, and administrative skills to support the work of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities. The Constituent Services Administrator will work to provide information and assist individuals with disabilities as they navigate human services systems so that they can advocate for themselves in order to receive quality, comprehensive, and consumer-directed services. Learn more here.

Assistant Director 3 | Center for Neurodiversity Program Coordinator | Rowan University – This position supports the Center for Neurodiversity, the Office of Accessibility Services and the Autism PATH program. The Program Coordinator will provide assistance to the Faculty Director of the Center for Neurodiversity in implementing all aspects of the Center’s mission and will work closely with Accessibility Services and the Autism PATH program (assisting students and alumni with career preparation) to promote educational opportunities and support services. Neurodivergent candidates encouraged to apply. Click here for more information. 

Remote Apprenticeships & Roles | Let’s Be Frank – Let’s Be Frank is working with RespectAbility with remote apprenticeships available in Faith Inclusion, Leadership, Nonprofit Management, Communications, Entertainment and News Media, and more. Full time opportunities with other organizations are also available. Click here for more information.

Temple University | Career Development Specialist – The primary responsibility of the Career Development Specialist is to facilitate career development for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in inclusive postsecondary education at Temple University. Career development activities include career discovery, paid and unpaid internships, and competitive integrated employment. These activities are coordinated and supported based on students’ person-centered plans. Click here for more information.

Network Announcements & Events

INSA Scholarship for Neurodivergent Students: INSA is offering the Reinventing Geospatial Intelligence, Inc. (RGi) Scholarship, a $10,000 award for neurodivergent students pursuing studies related to a career in the intelligence and national security community. Applications are due April 14. More information can be found here.

CAPS Study: Are you an autistic young adult who wants support in reaching your personal goals? If you are 18 – 30 years old living in Philadelphia, this new study may be for you! We want to learn how an autistic-led peer support program (CAPS) works to support autistic people. More information about this opportunity can be found here.

TPI Opens Philadelphia Innovation & Technology Center – The Precisionists, Inc. (TPI) has opened an Innovation & Technology Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; expanding innovative program that will create 500+ neurodiverse careers over the next 3-5 years. Click here to read the full press release.

Presentation: On April 11, 2023, Daniel Rothenberg will be presenting aworkshop that will give attendees an overview of neurodiversity and how to best support neurodistinct students in their job search. The presenter will share his passion and lived experience on this topic, as well as resources he has developed in the area of neurodiversity and employment. Specific topics will include: disclosure, interview preparation, and barriers and advantages in the workplace. For more information, please contact drothen1@mail.naz.edu.

HawXpo – Hill Top Prep is a small school making a big impact in the Southeastern PA area for bright and creative students diagnosed with neurodiverse learning differences. This year, Hill Top is making a great leap to implement a brand new event designed exclusively to develop and hone social skills for neurodiverse youth, adolescents, and young adults through a fun, interactive gaming and arts convention that fosters organic social interaction. HawXpo will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, from 10 am – 4 pm at Hill Top Preparatory School and features activities, competitions, speakers, and exhibitors, as well as all things gaming and pop culture! The event boasts fun and educational programming, comics, collectibles, video games, and so much more! Edu-tech Academic Solutions has signed on as the event’s Lead Sponsor. And, there are more sponsorship opportunities available. We are seeking to gain the support of organizations that are pioneering the movement to provide opportunities for neurodiversity in the workplace as the world recognizes the great contributions neurodivergent professionals are making every day. Sponsorship Opportunities and exhibitor registration along with a link to sign up, can be found at www.hawxpo.com.

College Autism Network Series: The College Autism Network is very pleased to announce a webinar series designed for higher ed professionals who are starting a new initiative or program on their campus.  “Square One: Launching a Campus-Based Autism Support Initiative” will be held over one week (June 5-9) with three sessions and then a year of mentoring in a cohort with others. Laurie Ackles and Jane Thierfeld Brown are the instructors. Click here for more information.

Philadelphia Autism Inclusion Town Hall, Resource Fair, and Fun Day will be taking place on April 29, 2023. Click here for more information!

Best Buddies Friendship Walk: THE BEST BUDDIES FRIENDSHIP WALK IS COMING TO KING OF PRUSSIA! Join us for the 2023 Best Buddies Friendship Walk on Saturday, April 29.The one-mile Friendship Walk is the number one walk in the country raising awareness and funds to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The walk plays a key role in funding Best Buddies programs dedicated to one-to-one friendships, leadership development, integrated employment and inclusive living for individuals with IDD. Each walk provides an opportunity to see the Best Buddies mission in action at a local level. Since the walk’s inception in 2009, more than 150,000 participants in 60 cities have walked to raise awareness for inclusion, friendship and opportunity for people with IDD. Recruit your friends and family members and form a team! It’s more fun to walk together! To register, go to www.bestbuddiesfriendshipwalk.org/philadelphia

CUNY Neurodiversity Conference: The 5th Annual CUNY Neurodiversity Conference, hosted by Project REACH & CUNY Disability Programs in the Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives will take place on April 14, 2023. This year’s virtual event will highlight neurodivergent artists and the vast creativity at the heart of the neurodiversity movement. We can all learn from neurodivergent creativity, including how to support people in ways that recognize the full diversity of the spectrum. Registration is available here.

Join us at our next quarterly meeting! Click here to reserve a spot.