Episode 390: Enhancing the Workplace With Neurodiversity With Dr. Scott Robertson, ODEP

I like to emphasize a strengths based perspective. So I think that employers should know that neurodivergent people like myself bring key strengths, talents, skills, knowledge and abilities that can help enhance work and the workplace. Plus, employers can drive efforts to recruit, hire, retain and advance neurodivergent people like me to tap these assets and adopt enhanced work supports and accommodations. Working with industry intermediaries and providers of services can help support this goal. Episode 390: Enhancing the Workplace With Neurodiversity With Dr. Scott Robertson, ODEP   Welcome to the Workology Podcast, a podcast for the disruptive workplace leader. Join host Jessica Miller-Merrell, founder of Workology.com as she sits down and gets to the bottom of trends, tools, and case studies for the business leader, HR, and recruiting professional who is tired of the status quo. Now here’s Jessica with this episode of Workology. Jessica Miller-Merrell: [00:00:59.45] This episode of the Workology Podcast is part of a podcast series powered by the Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship, or PIA. PIA is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy, or ODEP. In November of 2020, ODEP launched PIA to ensure all apprenticeship programs are inclusive and accessible to people with disabilities. PIA collaborates with employers and apprenticeship programs to help meet employer talent needs and enable people with disabilities to benefit from apprenticeships that increase their opportunities for lifelong access to high-growth and high-demand jobs. Before I introduce our guest, I want to hear from you. Please text the word podcast to 512-548-3005. You can ask me questions, leave comments, and make suggestions for future guests. This is my community text number and I want to hear from you. The Workology podcast is sponsored by Upskill HR and Ace The HR Exam. These are two courses for HR certification prep and HR recertification that Workology offers. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Scott Michael Robertson. He’s a Senior Policy Advisor with the Office of Disability Employment Policy, or ODEP. This is in the U.S. Department of Labor and he’s an autistic person. Scott is a policy expert and a social scientist with expertise in areas ranging from accessible emerging technology to inclusive employment, education and community living. He previously served as a Joseph P. Kennedy Junior Fellow at the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP. Scott has also served as the Founding Vice President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, or ASAN. It’s a National 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. Scott completed his PhD in information sciences and technology at Penn State University. He received his master’s degree in human computer interaction at the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and graduated summa cum laude. His recent honors include a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award for exemplary global leaders and a NextGen Public Service award for championing diversity, equity and inclusion. Scott, welcome to the Workology Podcast. Scott Robertson: [00:03:33.06] Hello Jessica. Thank you for having me today. It is great to speak with you for the podcast and happy Neurodiversity Week 2023. Since we’re audio, I thought it would be helpful to give a short,