Ben Adler is an intern in Talent Acquisition and Retention, Human Resources, at the Mount Sinai Health System.
Providing people with developmental disabilities job and internship opportunities benefits all concerned—by allowing the employees to maximize their independence while also enhancing disability inclusiveness and diversity of thought in the workplace.
This was the message of a virtual talk by leaders of the Adaptations Job Program, a job-services program made possible with support from public and private donations and a Mount Sinai partner since 2018, to create a holistic approach to job development for adults with disabilities while allowing the participants to embrace their individuality and learn job skills. The virtual talk can be viewed here.
The session, “Best Practices for Supporting People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Disabilities in the Workplace,” was hosted by the Mount Sinai Office for Diversity and Inclusion. It was part of a special series featuring speakers from around the Mount Sinai Health System as well as the community to raise awareness and promote an inclusive and equitable work place and health care environment for people with disabilities.
“In order to be independent, you need the financial means to live a full and happy life, and we believe that employment is a crucial component of that life,” said Andrea Goodman, MA, M.Ed, LCSW, Director of the Adaptations Job Program, who led the event with Ilana Shachat, MSc.OT, Employment Specialist with the Program.
Neurodiversity in the workplace also leads to an overall organizational culture where all individuals are respected and feel they belong. According to Ms. Goodman, through interactions with participants, there are changes in people’s attitudes in regard to people with disabilities, to a more positive one as people learn and understand different learning styles and appreciate their differences.
Best Practices in the Office
Best practices for employers include a clear communication strategy—explaining the goal of the project, giving one instruction at a time, giving instructions in writing, and using straightforward language, Ms. Goodman said. It is also important to explain priorities, discuss how much time a project or task would take to complete, and if possible, provide examples of what a finished project looks like.
The Adaptations Job Program is an integrated social, recreational, and vocational program, Ms. Goodman said. It works with participants and employers in maximizing the participants’ strengths in the workplace so that they could be productive employees. The program has both a person-centered and business-driven approach, so that the needs of the businesses are met through the intern placements and by offering a pipeline of talent. For more information, visit the program’s site.
Additional disabilities-related resources are available on the Mount Sinai Office for Diversity and Inclusion site.