About the speaker:

Manuel Casanova, MD, served on the founding board of the National Alliance for Autism Research (now Autism Speaks) and the Autism Tissue Board. He has served on the Board of Directors or Scientific Advisory Board of numerous organizations including the Autism Research Institute. His research has been recognized by a EUREKA award from the NIMH for the introduction of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) in the therapy of autism spectrum disorders.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and heightened glaring inequalities around the world, especially when it comes to income and wealth distribution, access to health care, protection under the law, and political inclusion. Persons with autism have long faced many of these inequalities, which have only been further exacerbated by the pandemic. It’s a problem made worse by long  recognized discriminatory hiring practices and workplace environments that present major obstacles for persons with autism; all of which contribute to the unemployment or severe underemployment of a large majority of adults on the autism spectrum.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders at the United Nations in 2015 provide a blueprint for addressing the major challenges facing the world, including strategies for reducing inequalities that hinder prosperity for people and the planet. One of the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) – Decent Work and Economic Growth – is to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all, including persons with disabilities. Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also recognizes “the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others,” and to a “work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.” 

Some employers have recently launched inclusive employment programmes, which  accommodate people with diagnoses of autism and related conditions, such as ADHD, OCD, etc., often referred to as neurodivergent persons. Based on the experience gained from these programmes, and motivated by the desire to both be socially responsible and to gain a competitive advantage by benefitting from the skills and abilities of a more diverse talent pool, an increasing number of employers are now creating  models to make the workplace and hiring practices more inclusive generally. 

The pandemic has undoubtedly impacted the efforts of companies to implement these new models, at a time when the international economy is undergoing the worst economic recession since the great depression, with the loss of hundreds of millions of jobs. At the same time, new ways of working, including remote working and the use of new technologies, have created opportunities for employees on the autism spectrum that previously found it difficult to thrive in traditional workplace environments.

The 2021 World Autism Awareness Day observance will address these issues through a virtual event that will include moderated panel discussions with individuals on the autism spectrum who have themselves experienced the challenges and seen these new opportunities in the employment market.

The event is organized by the UN Department of Global Communications and UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Specialisterne Foundation. 

As presented at the 2015 UN observance of World Autism Awareness Day, the mission of the Specialisterne Foundation is to leverage knowledge gained from the employment of autistic persons to support the creation of meaningful and fulfilling employment for one million persons, in a world where there are equal opportunities for all in the labour market.

Event Programme Overview

10:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks

10:13 a.m. PANEL 1: Disparities and Discrimination Exposed by the Pandemic 

10:33 a.m. PANEL 2: Ensuring Inclusion as we Build Back Better 

10:53 a.m. Closing Remarks

Event Registration

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Assistive Technology Industries Conference (ATIA):

January / February 2021:

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SPECIAL EVENT:  Thursday, 12 November 2020, 10h00 – 15h00 UTC/IST/GMT

A very moving, informative and entertaining online conference commemorating the life and work of the late, great autism specialist, Theo Peeters.
Theo changed the way we think about autism.
Profoundly compassionate, he emphasised the importance of understanding people on the autism spectrum ‘from within’: the need to empathise with autistic people by recognising the ‘culture of autism’.

Adam Feinstein will be speaking, together with Rita Jordan and Hilde de Clercq,
about their friendship with Theo and his immense influence in understanding and educating autistic individuals.

Here is the link to register (feel free to share it with friends and colleagues):

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-i-now-think-about-autism-tickets-126260890723?aff=ebdssbonlinesearch

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2020:  KOSOVO International Conference (WAO endorsed)

Date:  27 – 29 Nov 2020;  Place:  Prishtina – KOSOVO

Invited Speakers: https://worldautismorganisation.com/kosovo-2020-conference/

The Conference Programme and other pertinent information may be accessed here:  http://autismedi-biac.com/

NOTE:  The presentations will be available to view afterwards for those who have registered and paid!

The WAO  GENERAL ASSEMBLY   will also take place ONLINE at the end of the Conference, on 29 November at 15h00 UTC/IST/GMT.
Send an email to info@worldautismorganisation.com  with your name, phone number, country and email address to request the Join Meeting code.

Everyone can take part in the meeting but only members can vote.

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