TIME is running out to book a place at a conference on the benefits of employing a neurodiverse workforce, which will be addressed by a stellar line up of experts on diversity, inclusion, autism, ADHD and recruitment.
The one-day event, entitled Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Unlocking Potential and Driving Innovation, will be held at the Douglas Hotel in Aberdeen on Tuesday (May 30). Limited tickets are available.
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The conference and separate events for parents and teachers have been organised by city centre BID Aberdeen Inspired to support the return of the ADHD Foundation Umbrella Project to Aberdeen.
Strings of coloured umbrellas can be seen across the city until September, in celebration of the ‘umbrella’ term of neurodiversity, which includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
Sponsored by Harbour Energy and TMM Recruitment, the conference will be held at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel from 8.30am to 2.30pm on Tuesday, May 30, adjacent to the umbrella installation on Shiprow.
It is aimed at both private and public sector businesses, with speakers and contributors including Dr Tony Lloyd, chief executive of the ADHD Foundation, and Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired.
Mavis Anagboso, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at principal sponsor Harbour Energy, will talk about the company’s experience of employing staff who are neurodiverse.
Amanda McCulloch, chief executive of Aberdeen-based TMM Recruitment, will be reflecting on the hiring process and discussing inclusive recruiting practices with a panel of local and national experts.
Professor Amanda Kirby, chief executive of Do-It Solutions and chair of the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, will discuss why neurodiversity is everybody’s business and her work to raise awareness and champion best practices in education and employment, consultancy, tools and training.
Angela Prentner-Smith, founder and managing consultant at consultancy This is Milk, will address the conference on how maintaining a psychologically safe workplace is part of ensuring you are not just diverse, but fostering a place where everyone can flourish.
Charlotte Valeur, chair of the Institute of Neurodiversity, will tell her story of being diagnosed with autism later in life, while comedian Joe Wells and podcasters ADHD as Females will also share their own lived experiences.
With 1 in 5 humans being neurodivergent, 1 in 67 of us on the autistic spectrum, 1 in 20 with ADHD or dyspraxia and 1 in 10 with dyslexia, many people have a combination of these differences in how humans process and interact with their environment and the people around them.
Roulè Wood, Business Engagement Manager at Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We are looking forward to an insightful day on Tuesday, with a fantastic line-up of speakers. The Neurodiversity in the Workplace conference is just one of many initiatives delivered by Aberdeen Inspired to support local business and aims to help both private and public sector businesses understand how they can best serve the 20% of staff and customers who are neurodiverse.”
Places at the conference can be booked at a cost of £95. Aberdeen Inspired levy payers can attend free of charge, subject to availability, with discounts available for members of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce.
To book, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-unlocking-potential-and-driving-innovation-tickets-572690672217
