Podcasters and a comedian will join a stellar line-up of speakers at an Aberdeen conference exploring the benefits of employing a neurodiverse workforce.
The one-day event, entitled Neurodiversity in the Workplace - Unlocking Potential and Driving Innovation, will support the return of the ADHD Foundation Umbrella Project to Aberdeen.
Strings of coloured umbrellas will once again be seen across the city from the end of May until September, in celebration of the ‘umbrella’ term of neurodiversity, which includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
Both the Umbrella Project and the conference are being organised by city centre BID Aberdeen Inspired.
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 main umbrella installation on Shiprow.
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.
Stand-up comic and writer Joe Wells, possibly best known for his viral clip about the struggles of having a non-autistic brother, will give delegates an insight into his own lived experience of neurodiversity and how this has contributed to his success.
Dawn-Marie Farmer and Laura Mears-Reynolds' ‘ADHD As Females’ podcast is an exploration of ADHD by two females who are neurodivergent.
They will sit down with some of the key speakers and later share highlights via their podcast, which has had 500,000 downloads in 182 countries.
The line-up also includes Dr Tony Lloyd, chief executive of the ADHD Foundation, and Professor Amanda Kirby, chief executive of Do-It Solutions and chair of the ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity, who’ll discuss the use of web-based screening tools in the workplace.
Angela Prentner-Smith, Founder and Managing Consultant at This is Milk, a Scottish consultancy, training, and technology business, will explore how maintaining a psychologically safe workplace is part of ensuring you are not just diverse, but fostering a place where everyone can flourish.
Mavis Anagboso, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at principal sponsor Harbour Energy, will talk about the company’s strategies for supporting staff who are neurodiverse, while Charlotte Valeur, chair of the Institute of Neurodiversity – a global neurodiversity member organisation with chapters in more than 100 countries – will look at the power of ND networks, sharing practical advice for business.
Amanda McCulloch, Chief Executive of co-sponsor TMM Recruitment, will be reflecting on the hiring process and discussing inclusive recruiting practices with a panel of local and national experts.
Roulè Wood, business engagement manager at Aberdeen Inspired, said: “The Neurodiversity in the Workplace conference contributes to our aim of supporting local businesses by helping those in both the public and private sectors to understand steps they can take to support colleagues who are neurodiverse.”
Spaces cost £95. Aberdeen Inspired levy payers can attend free of charge, subject to availability.