Website:
www.wcupa.edu/dcap
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/dcap.wcupa/;
What services, resources, or initiatives does your organization provide to support neurodivergent employment? (org only)
D-CAP provides professional development groups weekly, with every other week partnered with the Career Development Center (CDC). Students create elevator pitches, resumes, and portfolios. In addition, the CDC hosts the Connect And Learn Meetup (CALM) event for our students during the spring semester. We have a specified Employment Coordinator who assists students with finding employment as well as works with supervisors to provide an inclusive environment for employees.
What is the best part of your work in neuroinclusive employment advocacy?
We enjoy meeting enthusiastic employing partners, whether on campus or within the community. The best part is when we are able to create inclusive opportunities that our students are excited to be a part of and flourish.
What inspired your advocacy work, and what impact do you hope to make?
As a college program, the stories from students feeling as though they weren’t good enough paired with an abundant about of frustration inspired us to get involved and educate others. We hope to provide our students the opportunities to demonstrate their skills within an environment that embraces and values them and their hardwork.
What is your call to action for other organizations to advance neuroinclusive employment opportunities? Please select your top 2.
Hiring neurodivergent talent, Partnering with higher education institutions for student internship opportunities
What neuroinclusive employment stereotype or myth would you like to “bust”?
I would like to bust the myth that neuro-inclusive employment takes a lot of planning, money, and effort to benefit a small percentage of employees. The fact is that most support doesn’t cost anything and actually benefits all employees.
What else would you like to share?
The reality is, every neuro-typical is going to work with or FOR someone who is neurodivergent. Acceptance and understanding are skills that neuro-typicals need to acquire to be successful in the workplace.