Members of Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce are being offered discounted tickets for a conference on 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.
Chamber members can take advance of a 15% discount using the code AGCC15 when booking online, while city businesses which pay the Aberdeen Inspired levy can book a complimentary place.
Podcasters and a popular British comedian will join an inspiring line-up of speakers at the conference on Tuesday, May 30.
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.
Sponsored by Harbour Energy and TMM Recruitment, the conference will be held from 8.30am to 2.30pm at the Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, next to the colourful umbrella installation on Shiprow.
Strings of brightly coloured umbrellas will once again be seen across the city from the end of May until September, celebrating the ‘umbrella’ term of neurodiversity, which includes ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
Stand-up comic and writer Joe Wells, whose routine about the struggles of having a non-autistic brother went viral, will give delegates an insight into his own experience of neurodiversity and how this has contributed to his success.
Dawn-Marie Farmer and Laura Mears-Reynolds will share highlights from the day on their ‘ADHD As Females’ 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 the charity’s chair Professor Amanda Kirby, 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, 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.
Both the Umbrella Project and the conference are being organised by city centre BID Aberdeen Inspired.
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. We are pleased to be partnering with AGCC to offer members a special rate for this important event.”
Places cost £95, reduced to £80.75 for Chamber members and free for Aberdeen Inspired levy payers.
To book, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/neurodiversity-in-the-workplace-unlocking-potential-and-driving-innovation-tickets-572690672217
and use the promo code AGCC15 to claim your member discount.