The Jobs Summit- An Aspie Analysis.
Hi everyone,
 Hope this blog finds everyone in ‘cyber space’ well.
I was very interested in the Prime Minister’s ’summit on employment’ last Friday. Those who know me won’t be very surprised by that (but they might be surprised to read that I didn’t watch the closing comments live- I was exploring another passion of mine- cricket- go the Black Caps!) But I was interested by some of the comments that I heard, and I also wondered ‘whose voices weren’t being heard at the summit.’
I should say that I’m not against the idea of a summit to discuss the economy- it doesn’t take Adam Smith to tell you that the World is in some economic trouble. And being an ‘ideas’ person myself, I think its crucial that we do some factual thinking and theorising on these matters.
That’s why I was more than mildly surprised to hear the Prime Minister urging delegates at the start of the day to ‘leave their ideologies at the door.’ Lets think about that for a minute. When I did first year University politics, I did a course on political ideologies- we had an ‘ideology a week!’ The main thing it taught me was that EVERYONE has a way of seeing the World- its a series of ideas which offer an account of the present state of the World, gives ideas for how to change it and then outlines how that change will brought about. It therefore would worry me greatly if delegates hadn’t gone with ways in which they wanted to change (or preserve) the World to maintain employment.
I also wonder, following on from that, what ‘ways of seeing the World’ weren’t present at the summit.
Consider these three facts:
-60% of disabled people earn less than $15,000
-The employment rate of people with Asperger Syndrome is 3% in the Western World.
-In times of economic downturn, people with impairments (especially intellectual impairments) are more likely to be the first to ‘be let go.’
 I wonder who put those three facts to the Jobs Summit? In fact, I know who did- Wendi Wicks, Policy Researcher for the Disabled Persons Assembly. But, as I’m sure Wendi would acknowledge, its a hard job putting the views of 660,000 New Zealanders (and their families or whanau.) This number includes the 40,000 people with autism.
However, the Government has urged us to be innovative and come up with ideas. So here are my three top ones:
1. The 9 Day working fortnight is a good idea- I should know I do it now!How about the Government and industry, as well as paying for skills and training development for workers- extend that out. So on the 10th day Government could reward firms which do mentoring of groups of people who most need job skills- such as people with ASD. People with ASD- especially Asperger’s Syndrome- have highly developed fields of interest. The strategic use of these ‘fields of interest’ would be of great use to the economy. Support will be needed by firms however to make sure that both they and those of us with ASD get maximum benefit from the experience.
 2. Recognise that work is part of the ‘ordinary life package.’ I’m conscious as I’m writing this where I am. I’m sitting on my computer at my new flat and once I’ve finished this I’m going to cook myself some dinner. These may not sound like big things- but for the majority of disabled people these choices struggle to happen. Why? Because in order to pay the rent on my own flat, buy food and drink and write this blog I need two key components- education and employment- both things which disabled people can be ’shut out from.’ So please remember those making policy decisions from this summit- the ordinary life package!!
 3. Articulate some VALUES under which decisions will be made at this time. This is my ‘biggie’ and precisely why I think ‘ideology’ does have a part to play here. Telling us what ‘values’ the Government expects people to use in this crisis would reassure us (well me anyhow) that the Government doesn’t support a ‘free for all’ in the scramble for everyone to secure their livelihoods. Values provide us with a series of boundaries and beliefs which we believe are fundamental. Here are three I’d like to see articulated:
 1. Diversity- making sure we ‘include all people’ in our solutions to this crisis.
2. Social Justice.
3. Interdependence- an acknowledgement that we cannot survive without each other’s talents and labour.
 People may disagree with my assessment here. But I hope it at least gets people thinking- the thing I think we most need to do in this situation.
 PS: Russell- am enjoying watching ‘Media 7′ now I have freeview!
Cheers, Matt.
Alyson Bradley wrote on March 2nd, 2009 at 10:07 am:
I so agree with what you say Matt and as with my experience of working with a central London Council for many years, the times I have heard, policy after policy to be more inclusive of everyone, but often stops at the discussion point, funds, resources etc…. or the safer majority option gets kept as the process gets filtered out through often hierarchical top heavy establishments…. To me the only way for real change in regards to ASD in a huge AWARENESS complain by people on the autism spectrum to help others understand, see through our eyes….
For me out in the bigger world, its not that I do not know what to do and have every confidence in self these days… but I can not act and be what I am not and all my attempts in the past have been me trying to be perceived like others want me to be, exhausting and does not work… others need to be more excepting of differences, if I was blind in a interview they would not except me to read out the questions. To me its really all about believing and having the confidence to be self, I do not want to be a preforming monkey for others! and have no intention of being, these days I am my self and happy to explain why I communicate differently, I guess the problem I now have is to help educate everyone so those of us with asd differences are allowed just to be and live in this world on our terms, not pretending to be what we are not, never works long term and I do feel this is one of the biggest problem for many of us on the autism spectrum in life in general, not being fully accepted or allowed…
Many asd individuals, especially those with Aspergers are very intelligent and we know what we are meant to do and how others want us to be, but we just want to be who we were born to be, like everyone does. Often its not instruction we need, but understanding from others. Unfortunately while the world continues to be very judgmental on how they perceive others, many brilliant minded asd individuals will continue to be unfairly treated and talent wasted!
I rather like the ASAN top 3 priority areas:
1. Support and Empower Autistic Adults
2. End School Abuse and Ensure a Free and Appropriate Public Education for All Students on the
Autism Spectrum
3. Balance the Research Agenda to Support Quality of Life
Having ASD, being an ASD parent, and knowing what it’s like as a ASD child. I some times feel the gap between those
of us on the autism spectrum and others, including parents of children on the autism spectrum, views are miles a part and trying to bridge that gap can seem like crossing a mine field. But for the children’s sake we are all going to have to find a middle ground, otherwise those of us with ASD may well retreat and stay isolated. After all all children become adults, and as much as I have learned to adapt, fir into your world and to many I may seem like you but I am neurologically different, and pretending is extremely exhausting!
Regards Alyson Bradley
AsPlanet – http://www.asplanet.info/
[Asperger Parallel Planet - web site/forum]
Posts about Live Cricket as of March 1, 2009 wrote on March 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am:
[...] Bhutan Day will celebrate Bhutanese culture and give Bhutanese a chance to learn more …   [ The Jobs Summit- An Aspie Analysis. - humans.org.nz 03/01/2009 Hi everyone,  Hope this blog finds everyone in ‘cyber space’ well [...]
Alyson Bradley wrote on March 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am:
Hi Matt – Cricket factor!
While I agree a great way to include others, we should all be included in all walks of life and as your well aware many of us on the autism spectrum have dyspraixa and really then if like me cricket can be become a dangerous option, yes I did try and it did not help my confidence at the time, especially as I also had sight problems … I became the amusement…
I mention this because often people not on the autism spectrum feeling including us is insisting we do things, especially as children that are not necessarily the things we enjoy, being inclusive is fine if the individuals are open minded into what that means!
I guess we need to remember what works for one person with asd may not for all, as you know we can be as diverse and different on the autism spectrum as those that are not… I like to think the old stereo type rain man imagine has long gone, but sometimes I wonder!
Alyson Bradley – asplanet.info
Jobs wrote on July 26th, 2009 at 12:04 pm:
Good article and some valid points. What ever direction is taken it will take years to see ifit has been a success.