REMINDER: Register HERE for the Nov 7-9 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit (Free online)! Info at the link.

At this month’s AASCEND Job Club, Michael Bernick will lead a discussion on disclosure and the related topic of reasonable accommodations. AASCEND members will discuss their experience with both, and how they have handled them. We’d welcome hearing of your experiences.

Additionally, this month we’ll hear from the new employment services team at the ARC, Ulises Zatarain and James Kealohi. They will speak on job openings in the post-pandemic economy, and their services available to our members.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

Ulises Zatarain was Executive Director for 42 Silicon Valley, a free international coding/software engineering school.  In that role Ulises oversaw the overall operations of the school, with a focus on recruiting and retaining minority students. Ulises also served as Director of Program Operations for Saint Vincent De Paul Society of San Francisco, Development Director for Puente de la Costa Sur in San Mateo County, VP of Community Programs for The Resurrection Project in Chicago, and as an Adjunct Faculty professor teaching Literature, History, and Humanities courses at St. Augustine College in Chicago. Ulises is passionate about social equity, and views education as the great equalizer to create a more just and equitable society. 

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program.

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!

When: Saturday, Oct 2, 2021 10 – 11 am (approx)

Where: Online via Zoom, URL and password will be emailed.

NOTE: If you participated in the Sept 11 Job Club meeting with Sheraden Nicholau, please take this survey. Here is Sheraden’s employment resource deck.

ALSO: Register for the Nov 7-9 Stanford Neurodiversity Summit (Free online) HERE! Info at the link.

UPDATE after the hike: It was a grey day, with rain in the North Bay, but it stopped at the Golden Gate and the hike at San Francisco’s Land’s End was a fine success. It was great to get together live and in person, non-virtually, for a change! We played the improv game Where the Wind Blows to warm up before setting off with our pandemic face attire in place. Along the way we all got to catch up and to get to know each other a little better. Thanks to all who showed up, and especially to the newcomers, for making it such an enjoyable event. Let’s get outside together again soon!

Enough of this Virtual life on Zoom! It’s time to get outside together again—at the AASCEND hike this Saturday (September 18, 10am) at Land’s End in San Francisco. We’ll strap on our walking shoes and meet as we have done before at the Lookout Cafe Visitors’ Center. The destination is San Francisco’s beautiful and easy-walkin’ Lands End trail we have followed before. It will be wonderful to see each other in person again! Come let’s revel together in the calming natural world so many autistic people enjoy.

There is food at the Lookout Cafe and Visitor Center where we’ll meet, but you might want to bring a snack. Come enjoy together one of the most lovely spots on this beautiful round world!

Who: Adults on the spectrum, family, professionals and friends all welcome!

When: Saturday, Sept 18, 2021 at 10:00 AM

Where: Lookout Café, Land’s End, San Francisco map

See (FREE!) Stanford Neurodiversity Summit details at the page bottom below.

On September 11 the AASCEND Job Club presents Sheraden Nicholau, Regional Manager of the State Council on Development Disabilities (SCDD). The SCDD is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency and ensures that Californians with developmental disabilities are guaranteed the same full and equal opportunities as all Americans.  

Ms. Nicholau will discuss the no-cost resources available for employment placement and supports available to adults on the autism spectrum and other developmental differences. She will draw on her experiences in close collaboration with the Regional Centers, Department of Rehabilitation, and local non-profits for job placement.

The Zoom meeting URL and password will be sent to people on our email list as the date approaches. If you are not on our email list, click here to sign up. No registration is necessary.

Ms Nicholau reports that working on projects and advocating for employment opportunities and equity for people with disabilities is an area of passion for her!

As usual at AASCEND meetings, attendees on the autism spectrum will offer their experience and perspectives throughout the program.

Who: Adults on the autism spectrum, families, mentors and professionals all welcome. For more information, please contact: info@aascend.org
When: Sat Sept 11, 10am – 11am (approx.)
Where: Online via Zoom. URL and password will be emailed.

The Stanford Neurodiversity Summit organizers write:

Dear Members of the Neurodiversity Community:
 
With much excitement, we would like to invite you to our second virtual Stanford Neurodiversity Summit from November 7 to 9, 2021. This virtual summit is a unique conference bringing together neurodiverse / neurodivergent individuals, employers, service agencies, educators and students, parents, and professionals from all areas of the field. Confirmed keynote speakers include Dr. Temple Grandin from Colorado, US Congresswoman Jessica Benham of Pennsylvania, Dr. Rhonda Moore from the National Institute of Mental Health, Sir Simon Baron-Cohen from University of Cambridge, Professor Yong Zhao of University of Kansas, and Professor Anand Prahlad of University of Missouri. We estimate that we will have about 70 to 90 speakers this year. In last year’s summit, we had over 3200 attendees who represent most stakeholder groups.
 
We are planning the conference with Universal Design in mind, to maximize accessibility and inclusion; we want neurodiverse individuals to participate. Please click here to see the preliminary program for the summit. You are also invited to explore Accessibility Guidelines to learn about how our group increases accessibility of the conference.
 
To ensure that you can enjoy the scheduled activities in the summit, we encourage you to register today. Registration is FREE and open until the tickets are sold out. All sessions will be recorded and made available to the public approximately a month after the conference. We look forward to seeing you at the summit in November!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!