When we talk about diversity, it needs to extend beyond race and gender…. We need to include individuals with learning differences in that conversation since learning differences affect all races and ethnicities and do not disappear once you graduate from high school or college, much like our ethnicity and gender.
The S.E.A.L. Foundation is offering workshops on Neurodiversity in the Workplace because we recognize the value of people who think and process differently. Our workshops inform and create awareness, understanding, and acceptance of learning differences and we strive to support companies in their efforts to truly make neurodivergence seamless in the workplace. Not only do we want individuals with learning differences to succeed at securing a job, but we want them to succeed in their jobs.
Furthermore, companies who hire individuals with learning differences do not do so because it’s a charitable act. Quite the opposite…it’s an economic proposition and they can bring value to the company’s bottom line. It’s mostly because of how those individuals think or view the world. The ability to focus on details, see patterns, spot anomalies, etc are traits inherent with individuals with ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. And if a company wants to hire those talented, neurodivergent individuals, there has to be the right job openings to match their skill set, as well as a willingness to foster an environment where they can flourish.
