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Instagram: @kinneycenter
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Why is neurodiversity important to you or your organization?
Neurodiversity is posited to be as important as life on earth as biodiversity is to life in general. Engaging the professional community to embrace those who think, perceive, and create differently can create opportunities for the unique talents of neurodivergent individuals to thrive and can benefit countless organizations, processes, and structures.
What services, resources, or initiatives does your organization provide to support neurodivergent employment? (org only)
For college students in our ASPIRE College Support Program, we provide a yearlong career readiness course, employment counseling in junior and senior year, and supported internships with local partner organizations. For college graduates from any institution, we have a specialized career counseling program designed to support autistic job seekers through obtaining and retaining meaningful employment.
What is the best part of your work in neuroinclusive employment advocacy?
The best part about these efforts is seeing a student truly thrive in a work opportunity they love, especially when it leads to a meaningful career, earning college credit, or making a difference for others.
What inspired your advocacy work, and what impact do you hope to make?
The Kinney Center’s mission is twofold: To educate and train the autism professionals of tomorrow, and to serve those affected by autism today. We consider contributing to increasing advocacy, awareness, and acceptance to be crucial elements to providing services to individuals on the spectrum.
What is your call to action for other organizations to advance neuroinclusive employment opportunities? Please select your top 2.
Offering mentorship or networking opportunities for neurodivergent individuals, Participating in research or advocacy efforts, Facilitating partner internships, specialized career counseling for this population.
What neuroinclusive employment stereotype or myth would you like to “bust”?
Skill building in the individual is only one part of the equation- it is equally if not more critical to prepare the professional world to receive their talents and unique gifts!