Why is Autistic employment so low? What do Direct and Indirect Ableism look like? How can we include autistic people in the workplace?

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Lydia Wilkins (@Journo_Lydia) is a freelance journalist with works published in renowned newspapers like the Metro, Refinery 29 and The Independent. Being a core member of the Conscious Being Magazine team and a contributor to the Conscious Being Podcast, Lydia seeks to shed light on topics around disability and social justice issues.

In this episode of the Thoughty Auti Podcast, Thomas Henley talks to journalist Lydia all about ableism, disability and Autism in the workplace. Lydia tells us about her dealings with the DWP and difficulties with receiving PIP (Personal Independence Payment), which was the ignition for the writing of the 'Autism Friendly Cook Book' - published recently this year, with previous TAP guest @21andSensory contributing her amazing illustrations to the final product!

They start the conversation by bonding over their frustration at the BBC Journalism Apprenticeship scheme, which was abruptly cancelled at the final stage during the COVID pandemic.

Thomas enquiries about Lydia's experiences with workplace ableism, with both highlighting examples of Direct and Indirect Ableism and how they interplay with other workplace issues such as autistic infantilisation, bullying, isolation, misogyny, microaggressions, pigeonholing, tokenisation and abuse.

Both agree that modern organisations focus on DIVERSITY but not INCLUSION - meaning there's lots of action through employment, but a lack of long-term job satisfaction and inclusion practices that bring the most out of those employees. Thomas sheds a light on the clear Deficit Model being used to guide inclusive practices like Reasonable Adjustments, and how pivotal a Strength-Based Model can be for the individual and organisation.

In order to fight ableism, the two suggest ideas on how we can improve the working world for disabled people: Incorporating training with Experts-By-Experience rather than just professionals, strengthening the Equality Act around reasonable adjustments, and shifting the mindset...

Employing Autistic people is NOT a charity effort, it's actually a very sound investment in the future of a business!

Lydia's Links:-

Website - https://lydiawilkins.co.uk/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/journo_lydia/

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