The Autism Advantage
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Level IT Up joined the Manitoba Possible Self-help Clearinghouse in early 2019, and we spoke with President and Chief Executive Officer, Anne Kresta, about how the organization is busting barriers to employment for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Anne, CEO of Level IT Up, smiling.
Anne is a mother of three adults, two of whom have Asperger Syndrome, and as she supported her sons through childhood and now adulthood, she became a strong advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities throughout life. As a parent, Anne collaborated and worked with many organizations such as Asperger Manitoba Inc.; Community Living Manitoba; the Thrive! Leadership Group by Manitoba Family Services; and The Ability Hub based in Calgary, AB. Using programming developed at The Ability Hub, she worked with local partners here in Manitoba to pilot a series of projects focused on the transition to adulthood, employment barriers, and post-secondary experiences of those with ASD. Some of these projects continue to run through agencies and organizations including Red River College, University of Manitoba, Asperger Manitoba, Continuity Care and various supported employment agencies.
Introduced to Meticulon, a business in Calgary that promotes employment of those with ASD in the tech sector, Anne began the groundwork to establish a similar organization in Manitoba, with the gracious support and sharing of resources by the Albertan business. After a successful grant application to conduct a feasibility study and fine tune the business model, Level IT Up officially launched in 2018, and continues to develop and adapt to the needs of candidates and potential employers. Anne shares, “the reward of seeing someone who has so much potential realize competitive employment in the tech sector is just amazing!”
Level IT Up Fast Fact: 1 in 66 Canadian youth have been diagnosed with ASD.
A long-time board member of Asperger Manitoba Inc, Anne was introduced to Manitoba Possible and the Self-help Clearinghouse, a Manitoba Possible community program that supports a network of small independent self-help organizations providing supports for people with disabilities. Clearinghouse benefits come in the form of shared administrative services, shared spaces and resources enabling self-help organizations to support their clients. Level IT Up and Clearinghouse were a natural fit – with Clearinghouse providing access to infrastructure at a central location near where Winnipeg tech companies have set up shop; a dedicated office; and access to resources and supportive personnel. “Manitoba Possible (especially Derek and Aline) are always ready and able to help troubleshoot or discuss how things are going,” she says.
Violet, a client who has found success and employment through Level IT Up
Level IT Up is part of a global alliance of businesses, organizations and individuals (known as Neurowrx) who promote greater employment of those on the autism spectrum. This alliance places a strong emphasis in hiring in the tech sector and training for STEM focused careers. Both organizations speak about the “autism advantage,” Anne shares, “It is not a deficit-based perspective on the lived experience, but rather a way of embracing neurodiversity as a necessary and beneficial quality for our society. These advantages lend themselves to many different careers and areas of work where attention to detail, honesty, loyalty, focus, and innovative approaches to problem solving bring distinct competitive advantages.”
Anne and the team at Level IT Up take eligible candidates through three weeks of tasks and presentations to build their employability skills and determine their performance related to a variety of indicators including work ethic, accuracy, efficiency, proficiency, teamwork, temperament, problem solving and more. Noting that one of the biggest barriers to inclusion and employment is attitude, they then support both the employer and candidates through the job interview, hiring and on-boarding processes with regular check-ins, customized presentations and troubleshooting emerging issues. Once an employee is settled, Level IT Up takes a step back, but continues to do periodic check ins to see how things are going and provide supports like links to community resources, navigating various workplace policies and processes, and more.
Level IT Up Fast Fact: 25% of Americans with ASD are employed, and no more than 6% are competitively employed.
As to how others can work towards removing barriers for those with ASD, Anne shares, “Think about your attitudes towards those with disabilities - search out some of those success stories (like those on the Level IT Up website) and do a reality check. The prevalence of ASD is estimated at 1 in 66 so there is a very good chance you already know, live with or work with someone with ASD. We need to be more attentive to the stories around us that highlight both the challenges and the successes associated with living with a disability. Look to the examples of diverse, inclusive and accessible workplaces and living spaces and continue learning how we can all do better.” Level IT Up is one of the places where you can find those stories and challenge your own attitudinal beliefs – they are here to break down stigma, and build the ASD-inclusive workplaces of tomorrow.
Keep up with Level IT Up by visiting their website or following in Facebook and LinkedIn.
Psst: Looking for more information about ASD in the workplace? Level IT Up has a great resources section!