the autism society of america webinar with autism now january 31, 2012

8/3/2019 The Autism Society of America Webinar with Autism NOW January 31, 2012

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Access to Autism FriendlyCompanies and Competitive

Employment Opportunities

Autism NOW webinar

January 31, 2012

Jennifer Repella, Autism Society VP Programs


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Who is the Autism Society?Founded in 1965 by psychologist (& father) Dr. Bernard Rimland

Oldest and largest membership organization dedicated to

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Comprised of 200,000+ members and supporters connected

through 130 chapters across the United State and Puerto Rico.

The Autism Society is dedicated to increasing awareness about

autism and the day-to-day issues faced by individuals with

autism, their families and the professionals with whom they

interact.We advocate for programs and services that people

need TODAY.


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Autism Societys Guiding PrinciplesMeaningful participation and self-determination in all aspects of

life for individuals on the autism spectrum.

Individual, parental and guardian choice to assure that people

on the autism spectrum are treated with dignity and respect.

Systemic change via federal, state and local public policy that

benefit of the autism community.

Honest broker of reliable information that is timely, frequent,

relevant and professional.

Multi-disciplined approaches to autism research focused on the

whole-body and whole life that improves quality of life.


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Philosophy of Empowerment

The Autism Societys growing membership base encompasses

a broad, diverse group of parents, family members and

professionals.

Recognizing andrespecting the diverse range of opinions,needs and desires of this group, the Autism Society embraces

an overall philosophy that chooses to empower individuals

living with autism to make choices best suited to their needs.

Providing information and education to help in decision-

making are more highly regarded at the Autism Society than is

advocating for one particular theory or philosophy.


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Five Core CompetenciesProactive Advocacy in collaboration with the greater disability

community

Community outreach and Education with accessible and

accurate information that supports stakeholder ability to

make informed ch

oicesEncouraging and fostering a strong grassroots network that

provides Supportas an integral part of a larger community

Creating local connections

Building capacity wit

hin local communities for delivery ofaffective Services delivery to individuals and their families

Translating Research results into applied practice that

provides real impact in everyday lives


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Autism Society Mission and Vision


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Focus on programs that improve the quality of life for people on

the autism spectrum and reflect the following desired outcomes :

Respect and Dignity

Inclusion

Communication

Health/Wellbeing/Safety

Academic Success

Friendship/Support Network/Social Connection

Independent Living (to the maximum extent possible)

Meaningful Employment with Fair Wages

Financial Stability Recreation/Leisure

Subjective Wellbeing/Self Identity & Acceptance

Autonomy, Self-Sufficiency & Pursuit of Dreams


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SoWhats It All About?

The Autism Society works to ensure that every child

and adult living on the autism spectrum has the

opportunity to be happy and be treated with dignity;

they should be able to pursue independence,fulfillment and lead a productive life.

The Autism Society works to ensure that every adult

with

ASDh

as opportunities to seek jobs of th

eirchoosing and have a chance (and the support required)

to achieve the highest quality of life.


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Long-Term Strategic Goals

National delivery system that provides every personaccess to successful lifespan responses that maximize

autonomy

Advance the discussion regarding autism to include

societal issues impacting a person on the spectrum andtheir family (poverty, unemployment, aging issues, civil

rights, etc.).

Local/state delivery entities have a measurable impact on

the lives all people living with autism today and in thefuture. Measure success through tangible improvements

based on criteria set by the community.


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Long-Term Strategic Goals cont.

Promote a lifespan approach to autism with special emphasis on:

Define the best practices, approaches and obstacles to early

identification so that proper diagnosis can occur by age 3.

Transition young adults leaving school systems prepared for

employment, advanced education, and independent living.Identify gaps in services and work with delivery systems so

individuals with ASD can expect the same access and adequate

response from social service agencies.

Refine our approach and define specific outcomes for eachquality of life indicator. In other words, how do we know when

independent living or subjective well-being has been achieved to

the maximum extent possible?


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Current Environment Individuals with disabilities are often not properly prepared for

competitive employment opportunities.

Education must build required skills andsocial behaviors that

promote success in the work place.

Corporations are often hesitant of the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) and related laws and are concerned with

doing something wrong when their intention is to do the

right thing

Service providers and families approach businesses with a moralimperative to hire people with disabilities with little knowledge

or consideration of the corporate perspective.


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Autism Society Environment Goal

Increase the number of public places that have an awareness of

ASD and have taken steps to meet the needs of this growing

population by:

Individuals wit

hASD and t

heir families are viewed as paying,respected customers and guests

Autism Interaction Training so that employees are prepared to

interact successfully and appropriately with individuals on the

autism spectrum and other disabilities

Site evaluations to assist in developing autism friendly

environments


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AMC Theatres and Autism Society


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Considering the Needs of Families

In April 2008 the Autism Society of America and AMC

Theatres began offering Sensory Friendly films

Offered one Saturday eachmonth

Features a new release film

Lights in the theatre are kept a little bit up, the sound

is turned a little bit down, and movie goers are able to

get up and move around if needed. Silence is golden goes out the window


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Autism Society Employment GoalTo successfully employ individuals with ASD in a variety ofpositions to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace

Educate employers on the benefits ofhiring individuals with

disabilities

Work with Vocational Rehabilitation, School TransitionPrograms, and Service Providers to improve job readiness and

job matching

Human Resource training for hiring and training employees on

the autism spectrum

Manager training for supervisors of employees with ASD


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Making a Difference and a Business Case

Estimates of the portion of adults with

disabilities who are unemployed range

from 16-80%

Many more are underemployed

Estimates of unemployment rates for

adults with autism are 90% and as high

as 98% for adults with AspergersSyndrome


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Here is the Business Case

One in five Americans has a disability

26 million with disabilities are of working age

90% estimated unemployment rate

50% of accommodations cost less than $50 and 88% cost lessthan $1,000

Instills Guest Loyalty

92% of Americans view companies that hire people with

disabilities more favorably than those that do not

People with disabilities and their network represent $1 trillion

dollars of buying power


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Going Beyond ComplianceApril 2010: Autism Society of America and AMC Theatres launcheda pilot employment program

Going beyond compliance to doing the right thing

Leverage Autism Society chapter network and AMC theatre

locations nationwide

Create a level playing field identify and eliminate barriers to

employment

Provide equal access to competitive employment

Replicable and sustainable in a variety of business settings

Align with AMCs business needs and performance standards


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From the Employee:


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From the Family:


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From the Employer:


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Quality Community Partners

Autism Society of America and chapters

AMC Theatres and local theatres

University Program employment expert

Self Advocate

Public School Transition Program or Vocational Rehabilitation

Instructional Support Provider

Employment Specialist/Job Coach

Assessment Tools


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FOCUS on Collaboration

For sustainability, both sides must understand each

others point of view

What is important?

Who are the decision makers?

Business needs

Value proposition

What are the barriers? What needs to be done to overcome the barrier?


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FOCUS on Sustainability

Instead of expecting to make exception and job

modifications, the organizations started out by focusing

on how to work within the AMC corporate model.

Exceptions would serve to make it that muchmore

difficult to replicate

GuestConnections principles

APSH (Attendance Per Staff Hour) alignment

Unable to job carve


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Breaking Down Barriers

Theatre Survey of

Managers Experiences

Opportunities

Successes

Job Coach was cited as the

#1 concern of field

management


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FOCUS Candidates

Qualified candidates were not defined by level of

functioning or movie-related interests, but rather if

they were a good match for the job and the culture

of the theatre.Expectations were stated clearly from the beginning

There were hard skills (physical elements) but also

soft skills (making eye contact, decisions and

appropriate actions in various situations) that are

required.


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FOCUS Interview Process

General Manager is the direct contact and owns FOCUS

program at the theatre level

Travelling Interviewdeveloped

Provides exposure to all areas of the theatre/ workingenvironment

Points out sensory/ physical environment concerns (bright

lights, slick floors, hot/ cold areas, etc.)

Allows for candidate self de-selection during interview


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Expectations of Associate

GuestConnections

Multiple job responsibilities

Held to same standards of performanceSkills and abilities must be demonstrated

Praise effort, reward results


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Autism Society Educational Takeaways

We must consider all factors (corporate model, supports

provided, etc.) to set people up for success

Job readiness and a good job match are critical

The #1 indicator of being employed after school is to beemployed during school.

Supporting person with disabilities IS NOT something

that can be done between 8 a.m.- 3 p.m., we need to

provide support when the individual is likely to beemployed, for high school students that means after

school.


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AMC Educational Takeaways

Never underestimate the desire of people with ASD

or other disabilities to work in competitive

employment.

Independence is goal

Dont start out making exceptions

Its okay to maintain your standards and set high

expectations


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Roles of Job Coach

Job Coach Requirements developed for job coacheswithin AMC environment

Rules of Engagement to promote success,

maximize independence and cultivate natural

sustainable supports


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Mandatory training for all

theatre supervisors

Training was tailored to the

industry and used theirlingo and acronyms

Training was not Autism

101 but when you have

an employee with

autism

Employer/Environment Specific Training


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Theatre Training & Communication

Modified training schedule

Expectation to progress to

higher volume periods

Flexible communication tactics

Scheduled touch points

60 day probation period


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What does success look like?

Not defined by conventional business metrics

Defined by making a difference

Individual impact


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Moving from Pilot to Practice

Went from concept to pilot in less than 60 days

The single-site pilot lasted for 1 year.

At the end of April 2011 AMC Theatres launched the FOCUS

program to their theatres across the country. Companywide webinar

Toolkit

Specific directions regarding employment

Job coach requirements

Traveling Interview


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Benefits to an Organization

Increase potential of new customers and guests

Increase sales, attendance and ultimately revenue

Build brand identity and loyalty

Differentiate from competitors

Positively impact morale, retention and corporate

culture


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We Cant Do ItWithout You

Every one of us has a role to play. We

must all strive to be connected,

engaged, supportive, and serve thegreater autism community by being a

resource, an advocate and a

spokesperson within our

communities.


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[email protected]

www.autism-society.orgJoin us on

the autism society of america webinar with autism now january 31, 2012

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