By Desiree Kaur
6 Feb 2022 – Graduate students of UTM Azman Hashim International Business School (AHIBS) organised a “Neurodiversity Employment Campaign” as part of a course called “Talent Engagement & Inclusion.” According to the World Bank (2021) approximately 15% of the world’s population has some form of disability whereby the large majority are hidden disabilities. In Malaysia, 35.4% of those registered with disabilities, are categorised under learning disabilities, the largest majority.
Image credit: myForesight
Let’s take a minute to explain the terminologies used thus far. Disabilities, learning disabilities and neurodiversity. In Malaysia, hidden disabilities are categorised as learning disabilities. Neurodiversity refers to learning disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, etc. There is definitely much debate in terms of terminology and the use of the word disabilities in the first place for neurodiverse conditions. However, this is a debate for another day. This piece aims to inform readers about the 3 organisations that were represented at a forum session held via Zoom as part of the Neurodiversity Employment Campaign organised today.
United Voice
Their history began in 1995, through the Self-Advocacy Group (SAG) formed with only 4 members. A year later, it grew to 8 members enabling them to chair committee meetings and initiate activities. In July, 2005, United Voice was registered with the Registrar of Societies and became the first Society in Malaysia, to be run by Persons with Learning Disabilities. United Voice is one of the few that provide services for neurodiverse adults. Amongst their services include: self-advocacy training, social thinking transition training, employment support, self/employment & small business setup program, counselling services and Special Olympics. Membership is open to with learning disabilities, aged 14 years and above.
They also run training and awareness programs, workshops and conferences relating to self-advocacy, understanding persons with disabilities and supporting them, employment for people with disabilities and Disability Equality Training / Disability Related Services Training (DRST). They also do something called Adult Access, whereby United Voice works in collaboration with groups to conduct accessibility studies on buildings, transportation and public spaces. Ms Yeong Moh Foong, the Lead Coordinator of United Voice shared her views on the importance of inclusion and awareness on neurodiversity. She explained how United Voice helps adults with the necessary support required in order to gain employment.
For more information on United Voices and to get in touch with them, visit their Website here.
Enabling Academy by Gamuda
Yayasan Gamuda runs two programs, namely, Project Differently-Abled (Project DA) to employ adults with autism within Gamuda, and Enabling Academy, to raise awareness and partner with corporates to employ autistic individuals with lower support needs. They have also created a free Employment Transition Programme Trainer’s Manual in three languages (English, Bahasa Melayu & Mandarin) which is available at their Website here. They also conduct workshops and trainings for corporations with regards to autism awareness.
Catherine Chin from the Enabling Academy spoke about impact and measuring success. “Measure of success is by impact and how much impact we have made. For example, are our graduates happy or have more confidence, and leading a meaningful life. Those quality of life measures are more important. Numbers we have, but the kind of work we do, is more on impact of success rather than assessment ,” she said.
Part of their training includes placement of graduates in offices whereby a Supervisor and Buddy will be appointed. Both will receive training on autism and the kinds of accommodations required at the workplace. The Suporvisor’s role is to oversee the program whereas the Buddy is a peer who would likely sit close by and be the go-to person if the candidates has any questions. Find out more about the Enabling Academy here.
Autism Initiatives Malaysia – High (AIM High)
AIM High is a peer support group for adults with Level 1 or low support needs autism. It’s a space to support tertiary education & employment. Dr Daniel Leong, ambassador of AIM spoke at the forum too. He shared his sentiment regarding limited support for adults and late-diagnosed adults with autism. He, himself was dianogsed with autism at the age of 31. He also emphasised that since the support for adults is limited, it is even more imperative to get a diagnosis in order to have access to the much needed support.
AIM meets every month for social activities and maintains a chat group on Discord. They run webinars for members and invite speakers to speak on various topics such as mental health, relationships, issues on sexual harassment and how to keep safe, etc. AIM is focused on supporting the peer group. Currently, it provides an opportunity to make connections with each other whereby the activities are less of the point but the opportunity to connect being the main objective. AIM has a closed Facebook group here.
Neurodiversity Employment Campaign
This campaign was a good initiative to create much needed awareness on neurodiversity which leads to acceptance and more employment opportunities. Even the forum Moderator, Purawin Subramaniam said he had not heard nor understood the term neurodiversity, until he began working on this campaign. However, in his role as moderator, he went on to find out what it means and moderated the session well allowing for speakers to share their views and attendees to ask questions. Focusing the event towards employment and Human Resources practitioners was rather apt given the challenges the neurodiverse community faces, not only with access to services but chances of employability.
Starting with awareness is key towards acceptance and inclusion of all abilities in the workforce.
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