To further aid my research, for my MA project, I recently attended a seminar hosted and sponsored by the University of Westminster by The Westminster AchieveAbility Commission for Dyslexia and Neurodivergence (WAC) (2019) on the topic of Neurodiverse voices:Opening Doors to Employment. This included the neurodiversity of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is defined as Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how people perceive the world and interact with others as defined by the National Autistic Society (NAS) (2019).

There were seminar speakers on a range of inclusive work presented, which was both impressive and influential. Here is a link to the AchieveAbility WAC (2019) seminar talks which can be downloaded in PDF format below:

Panel 1 Speakers
• ACAS Future Thinking on Neurodivergent Practice: Tom Neil, Policy Adviser and Guidance Writer. [pdf]
• Neurodiversity – A Union Perspective: Prospect’s Director of Communication and Research, Andrew Pakes. [pdf]
• Artswork Inclusive Practice: Jane Bryant, CEO [pdf]
• Supported Apprentice Internships: Claire Cookson Deputy Chief Executive Officer, David Forbes-Nixon (DFN) Charitable Foundation. [pdf]

Panel 2 Speakers
• Inclusive Recruitment in the Heritage Sector: Becki Morris, Founder Disability Collaborative Network (DCN). [pdf]
• Workplace Assessment: Richard Todd and Katherine Kindersley, Dyslexia Adult Network (DAN). [pdf]
• Inclusion North: Project Manager Sandy Marshall and Craig Kennady. [pdf] (DAN) .

Reflection

There were questions from the floor around the topics discussed with the panel, which were very interesting and the feedback during the seminar was extremely positive. I was particularly interested in the speaker Claire Cookson with the supported apprenticeship model (DFN 2019). It really did appear to fulfill the gap for the students that are neurodiverse, providing the level of support that is needed to succeed in employment.

The whole event was geared towards the issue of employability for neurodiverse people, which is the whole aim of education. The aim is preparation for life and work for personal microeconomic sustainability and the macroeconomic sustainability of the UK, without the reliance on the welfare state (Bowles and Gintis 1976).

The welfare state of the United Kingdom (UK) is a liberal means tested benefits system as determined by Esping-Anderson’s (1990) “Three Worlds of welfare Capitalism” typologies, which has been come a very costly in the UK (Gov.UK 2019).

Therefore, if these people can be sustained in work, through education, this will be better for them and the whole UK economy.

Tweeting

There was a high level of tweeting happening during as follows:   

One of the most interesting stats from the #WACReport yesterday was stated by Dr Ross Cooper how disclosure feels dangerous for #neurodivergent people (dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism etc). The processes to create workspaces which people can feel able to talk is key. #Museums pic.twitter.com/uuGsnue7Qf

— Museums DCN (@museumDCN) May 24, 2019

I think this report is wonderful captures the challenges faced by those with #neurodiversity ! I also see this challenge in other areas: clubs, sports where those who aren't neurotypical are quickly dismissed ! Great to stimulate debate and raise awareness !

— Dr Nichola Stefanou (@StefanouDr) May 25, 2019

Great organisation case study of #neurodiversity from CEO of SME @ArtsworkLtd at @AchieveAbility1 seminar. Thanks Jane for sharing what #culturechange can acheive. At almost no cost! #WACreport https://t.co/3w6aimo1zO

— Alison Carter (@AlisonCarterIES) May 23, 2019

Discussion

One area of discussion was around centralised information and collaboration on resources for inclusive practice. Thus, the following resources were discussed at the seminar as being accessible to participants.

1. Professor Amanda Kirby  offered the following web site for participants to access and contribute to resources. Hidden Impairment National Group (HING) web site (DWP). 
2. Professor Nicki Martin flagged up the National Association of Disability Practitioners Ltd (NADP) ( 2019)work as a useful way to collaborate for Further and Higher education  
3. Westminster AchieveAbility Commission (WAC): AchieveAbility is committed to promoting policy and delivering practice for successful educational, employment
   and training opportunities for people who are neurodivergent and dyslexic and at Twitter.com//AchieveAbility1 .

Overall this was a beneficial seminar to attend and will support me with resources and contacts.

References

Bowles, S., & Gintis, H., (1976), Schooling in Capitalist America. NY. Basic books.

Esping-Andersen, G. 1990. The Three Worlds of Welfare Capitalism. Princeton University Press. Google Books

Gov.UK (2018) Guidance: Benefit expenditure and caseload tables. DWP

HING (2019) What is HING? [Online]

NAPD (2019) NADP is the Professional Association for disability and inclusivity practitioners in further and higher education, [Online]

NAS (2019) What is Autism? [Online]

WAC (2019) Westminster AchieveAbility Commission (WAC), (Online)