![Jason Weppelman on Inclusivity in the Workplace: Matching Individuals on the Spectrum to Inclusive Employers & Opportunities]()
January 19, 2022
Jason is the Client Program Manager at Rangam Consultants where he works with organizations to create more inclusive hiring and employment. Join us as we discuss the hiring process and the work Rangam is doing to support businesses and individuals on the spectrum connect and work together.
About Jason: Jason develops disability integration programs for corporations, government agencies, non-profits and national funders. He works with clients to understand their work culture and needs, then matches them with disability industry resources. He combines his experience with a focused passion to find innovative solutions for talent acquisition and retention. Jason’s work has been vital to the creation of multiple collaborative groups that connect businesses with job seekers and disability support providers, resulting in positive outcomes and confirmation that disability hiring is a sound business decision.
Connect with Jason: jwepp@rangam.com
Learn more about Rangam: http://www.rangam.com/
Learn more about SourceAbled: http://www.sourceabled.com/
The music from today's podcast was composed and performed by Bruce Petherick, an autistic advocate, neurodivergent musician and friend of Autism Canada. To hear more, visit Bruce's website at www.brucepetherick.com
![Kara Dymond: The Autism Lens - Teaching and Supporting Kids on the Spectrum]()
January 5, 2022
Kara Dymond is an elementary school teacher, a teacher instructor at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) and an autism consultant with a Canadian school board.
Her new book, The Autism Lens is a resource for teachers to help them confidently connect with and support students on the autism spectrum. Offering practical solutions that foster inclusion, prevent challenging moments, motivate, develop strengths, boost resilience and help teachers respond proactively to student needs, this book is a resource for every classroom.
Primarily meant for teachers, this book is also an excellent resource for parents who are looking for tips and ideas to help their student succeed and for engaging with teachers to ensure this success.
To connect with Kara and for more resources, visit her website: https://www.karadymond.com
The music from today's podcast was composed and performed by Bruce Petherick, a neurodiverse musician and friend of Autism Canada. To hear more, visit Bruce's website at www.brucepetherick.com
August 5, 2021
Introducing Blair Durnan, founder of Spectrum Skateboard Society, an organization that teaches skateboarding to kids on the spectrum.
Join us as we chat about how skateboarding can help with social skills, self-esteem, communication and persistence and about how Blair is using his experiences on a board to share these lessons with kids and families.
Connect on Instagram: @spectrumskateboardsociety
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![Vicki McGrath: Her Extraordinary Life with Autism]()
June 30, 2021
Join us for this conversation with Vicki McGrath, late-diagnosed woman on the Autism Spectrum.
Vicki shares her story of determination & perseverance before and after diagnosis, her Extra Sensory Perception, how she sees her autism as a gift and, in her words, her extraordinary life.
About Vicki:
Vicky McGrath is a wife, mom, and business owner and was diagnosed with ASD in 2019, at 50 years of age. Vicky has an undergraduate degree from Trent University and a master’s degree from Cambridge University. Vicky spent 20 years in the government sector in the environmental field before making the jump to business ownership. Currently, she is owner of a private home care company, caring for elderly clients in the safety of their own homes and also a professional speaker.
Vicky is also a runner and triathlete, having completed several marathons, half marathons and triathlons including half Ironman and three full Ironman triathlons. It was during a long training ride in 2006, before her (not to be) third Ironman that Vicky crashed her bicycle, broke some ribs, punctured her lung and sustained a concussion and launched her path of self-discovery, resulting in her autism diagnosis in 2019.
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![Caris Park and her mom, Sara: Advocating and Educating about Autism]()
May 5, 2021
Caris Park is an 11 year old autism ally and advocate who, with her parents support, started educating the kids in her school about autism when she was in grade 4. Her "What is Autism?" class presentation ended up reaching over 90,000 people via social media!
Today, Caris, her mom Sara and her brother Carter, who is on the Autism Spectrum, work to educate and create acceptance with their series of educational videos and through their social media pages. Their videos include information about autism including things like stimming, sensory concerns and communication and are perfect tools for teaching anyone about the special characteristics of autism.
As Sara says, early education is one of the keys to increasing acceptance and inclusivity for individuals on the spectrum and the videos that she, Caris and Carter are developing are excellent resources for anyone working to educate and learn.
Caris is a role model for other kids out there who want to work towards a more accepting world and we are excited to share her enthusiasm today.
Watch the videos HERE
Follow Caring with Caris on Instagram HERE
Follow Clever Carter on Instagram HERE
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