- July 22, 2021
- 1pm EST/12pm CST/10am PST
Session Overview:
Neurodiversity 101 – Accepting Neurological Differences in the Workplace and our External Communities
Neurodiversity is a social concept to respect and accept neurological differences as any other human variation, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and more. Neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and beyond need to be celebrated and not cured nor masked. Come learn how embracing neurodivergent talent can take your DEI Story to the next level, leading to more empathy, innovation, success, and even more revenue.
About the Presenters:
Natalia (Nat) Lyckowski
Pronouns: she/her
Proudly neurodivergent and parent of an autistic IT Professional, Nat empowers acceptance culture by designing safe spaces to self-identify and developing education and initiatives that improve trust and allyship. She is a public speaker and organizer of global enablement both within IBM and externally. Nat is also experienced with cross-identity engagements with PWD/PWDA, LGBTQ+, Race, Ethnicity, Gender, and other identity groups. Nat has worked for IBM for 25 years as a Business Analyst and Application Developer and serves as the Global Neurodiversity@IBM BRG Co-Chair.
Autumn VanKirk
Pronouns: they/them or she/her
Autumn VanKirk is a Network & Security Support Engineer and Team Lead for IBM. Being multiply neurodivergent (autistic, ADHD, socially anxious, and potentially OCD) and multiply LGBTQ+ (a sapphic, non-binary, trans woman, among other identities) enables Autumn to speak from lived experience at the intersection multiple spectra. They are an outspoken advocate in the arenas of Disability, Neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, in addition to being a strong supporter of racial, ethnic, and economic equity and justice. Having built and repaired multiple computers and taught herself to run a web server out of her parent’s closet before entering college, she is fascinated by complex systems – from computer networks to the underpinnings of human and animal behavior.
