Free online event
How to nurture neurodivergent talent in the public service
Exclusively for public servants and policymakers
Wednesday, Aug 23, 2023
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You'll learn how to:
- Recognise the unique challenges and strengths of neurodivergent individuals in the workplace
- Understand the importance of neurodiversity in your organisation
- Identify ways to support and include neurodivergent colleagues
Speakers
Resources from the speakers
- Abigail Agyei's presentation slides
- Abigail Agyei's TedX talk: Yes, Black women have ADHD too and need your attention!
- Diagnosis pathways for Adult ADHD
- Abigail Agyei's LinkedIn
- Jonathan Mok's LinkedIn
Some particularly helpful posts on Helen Jeffries' blog, Autistic Civil Servant
- Opening the Conversation on Autism Reasonable Adjustments
- I think my colleague is autistic – help!
- Why is my autistic staff member so difficult??
Apolitical resources
- How to hire public servants with disabilities, article by Jonathan Mok
- How we evaluate work can bar people with disabilities from a government career, article by Jonathan Mok
- Getting the maximum benefit out of neurodiversity, article by Helen Jeffries
- ‘Sifting out’ the autistics, article by Helen Jeffries
- A letter from the autistic colleague you didn’t know you had, article by Helen Jeffries
- Getting the maximum benefit out of neurodiversity, article by Helen Jeffries
- “I want to communicate and be understood, but it’s a struggle”, article by Helen Jeffries
Resources from the community
- The ADHD Adults Podcast
- City of London Police first in the country to screen suspects for ADHD
- The Radical Promise of Truly Flexible Work
- Why National Security Needs Neurodiversity
- Manual of Me framework
- goblin.tools
- ACED's Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool for workers
An estimated 15% of people are neurodiverse. Neurodiversity includes autism, ADHD, dyslexia and many more.
Organisations are finally beginning to recognise the immense value of diverse perspectives, talents and ways of thinking. But how do you create an environment that fosters inclusion and empowers neurodivergent individuals to thrive?
Watch this free online workshop to learn about how to create great places for neurodivergent people to work. You’ll hear about key topics such as accessibility, support systems and fair hiring practices.
Who should watch:
This workshop is for public servants and policymakers at any level in government who want to create a fairer workplace environment where neurodivergent individuals can flourish.
Interested in how Apolitical can support you and your organisation? Learn about collaborating with us.
Picture credit: Pexels
Speakers
Helen Jeffries
Deputy Director
United Kingdom
Jonathan Mok
Eco-System Builder
Hong Kong
Abigail Agyei MBE
Senior Policy Advisor - Early Years Health Workforce Lead
United Kingdom
Helen Jeffries, currently a Senior Civil Servant in the Department of Health and Social Care, previously worked in the Cabinet Office Covid Task Force. Helen was diagnosed autistic five years ago. “I thought then that being autistic was a total barrier to career progression as I couldn’t see any openly autistic senior civil servants. Recent national crises have given me progression opportunities so now I’m attempting to be the open autistic role model I lacked myself. I do that by being an active campaigner in the public sector for more understanding of autism and acceptance of autistic colleagues.” Helen’s aim is that all civil servants should know that they are almost certain to have autistic colleagues, and that all autistic civil servants should feel confident being themselves at work and to that end blogs about her experiences at: https://helenjeffries.wordpress.com/
Jonathan Mok, a neurodiversity advocate, has shared in reputable local and international events including ReThink HK, TEDxCUHK and Neurodiversity Celebration Week. To raise public awareness of ADHD, Jonathan has served as an organising committee of HK ADHD Awareness Week since 2021. A former education professional, Jonathan now engages in the social innovation sector and is affiliated with Mind HK and Resolve Foundation.
Abigail Agyei MBE, an award-winning policy and strategy advisor, diversity, equity and inclusion champion, community builder and a neurodiversity advocate currently working at the Department of Health and Social Care. She has over nine years’ experience in working with diverse, marginalised and under-represented communities. She was named one of last year's 'Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women by ‘Women Beyond the Box’ and is the winner of 2020 Civil Service Rising Star Award for her dedication to public service making significant impact to communities and being instrumental in leading on race in the Civil Service and enabling uncomfortable conversations with senior leaders and amplify the voices of people of colour in the department to create inclusive, safe and accountable culture. She has been awarded MBE by Her Majesty The Queen in 2022 New Year British Honours for Public and Community Services.
