Inclusion and more

Every month for the next several months, I will be highlighting a new inspirational leader. This month my leadership spotlight is dedicated to Denise Resnik.  Denise Resnik is an inspiration to all.  In 1997, Denise started the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC), a Phoenix non-profit organization that helps create services for kids, teens and adults with autism.  SARRC recently celebrated it's 20th anniversary and now has over 100 staff members working for them.  Denise saw a great need for a living option for adults with autism. She created First Place Phoenix so adults like her son Matt can live independently and hold jobs. Denise's vision came true this past year  when First Place Phoenix broke ground and had its first hard hat tour for perspective participants.  I was appointed to serve on First Place Phoenix Resident Advisory Council. The council, which will eventually recruit 5 more individuals with autism, will allow new Fi...

I am only 7 months away from graduating from the First Place Transition Academy operated by SARRC.  This is a transition I never thought I'd get to as I spent most of my life living with my parents wondering what would be next. Enter the First Place Transition Academy. I have lived there for almost two years and love every minute of it.  I have learned how to live with a roommate, learned how to take Uber and Lyft and Dial a Ride and best of all I have learned how to hold a job. I recently started a job at the AZ School Boards Association doing clerical work. I have been working there for almost a week now and love it. I like my co-workers and supervisors.  Every one loves seeing me and interacting with me. I know there will be rough days but it helps to know everyone is super supportive of each other. In May, I will graduate from First Place through attending GateWay Community College's graduation. My friends and I will receive Independent Life Certificates...

Imagine yourself without a job that allows you to be independent, learn new skills and the opportunity to interact with co-workers. For 13.7% of people with disabilities like autism this is the case. They are unemployed or underemployed. One of my biggest passions in life is helping teens and adults with autism find employment. I spend quite bit of time at night researching what companies like Microsoft are doing to hire people with disabilities. Yes that's right the company behind Microsoft Office programs like Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher hires people with disabilities. For me even though there are many companies hiring teens or adults with autism to work within their workforces, they is a gap. Why such a gap? Employers are failing to realize the potential that people with special abilities like autism can bring to their companies.  Organizations like the Southwest Autism Research and Resource C...