Join us for the EmployME Chats on "Navigating Conversations About Workplace Accommodations."
When: Monday, February 3, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. CT
This engaging panel discussion will explore key topics such as identifying and addressing workplace ableism, navigating the employment landscape without universal design, and strategies for requesting accommodations during the job search, after receiving a job, or following a job change or late diagnosis. Panelists will also discuss the distinction between “Big A” and “little a” accommodations and provide practical advice for managers to foster inclusive workplaces where neurodivergent employees can thrive.
Whether you are an Autistic job seeker or employee, a support person to an Autistic person, or a manager looking to create a more inclusive workplace, this discussion will offer valuable insights and actionable strategies.
This event is supported by a generous grant from the Glen and Dorothy Stillwell Charitable Trust.
Panelists:
Mary Ann Gill is an Autistic advocate with experience working in pediatric healthcare and special education settings. During graduate school, Mary Ann worked as a job coach for Next Steps at Vanderbilt, a 4-year inclusive college program. Mary Ann has published and presented work on neurodiversity-affirming practice for healthcare professionals and managers.
Arden is a 32-year-old autistic self-advocate passionate about disability justice and autism advocacy. They are a librarian with 10 years of experience interacting with the public and providing programs for teens. They received their autism diagnosis at age 28 and went through the interactive ADA accommodation process at work after a medical leave due to autistic burnout at age 30. They love reading fanfiction, crocheting, and playing video games in their free time.
Stephen Polkowski is an adamantly, audacious, autistic self- and community-advocate who was late-life identified. Undiagnosed and without accommodations, he failed 11 classes and tenaciously fought through 10 years of school and autistic burnout to finally complete his undergraduate mechanical engineering degree. At the culmination of his master’s degree, he will have persevered through 8 years of graduate school to complete his master's degree in materials science and engineering. He is extremely passionate about learning, advocacy, leadership and creating environments conducive for individuals to succeed, and elucidating the allistic-confusing enigma that is the spectrum of autism. He enjoys complex problem solving, sports, physical fitness, and spending time in the great outdoors in the cooler months.
Terra (She/Her) currently works in higher ed. Previously doing social work with unhoused folks wearing many hats despite having a heavily STEM background. Her main special interest is music and is constantly looking for music that is unlike other things she's heard, especially by queer artists. She lives with one of her partners and her pup, Crissy. She has both obtained ACA accommodations for herself in several positions and assisted others with the process as a coworker and as a supervisor.
Jeremiah Jones, Staff Attorney from Disability Rights TN, will also join the panel. DRT is a nonprofit legal services organization that provides free legal advocacy services to protect the rights of Tennesseans with disabilities, including employment discrimination and access to community resources and services.
