#Neurodivergence in the #Workplace

#Neurodivergent #accommodations, which #work for you?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neurodiversity-affirming-therapy/202506/neurodivergence-in-the-workplace

@chirpbirb Where you're most likely to see this sort of reasoning: The HR representative assigned to you to manage your workplace accommodations. I have never dealt with so much ableism in my life as when I made a formal accommodations request with a signed letter from my doctor. The most infuriating thing about it was, they're not accommodations that cost any extra effort or money. They just don't want to give their employees anything nice or helpful unless they legally *have* to, and then it will be done begrudgingly and with the narrowest possible interpretation of the doctor's words.

#ableism
#disability
#DisabilityRights
#accommodations
#HR

https://www.alojapan.com/1291395/where-a-japanese-chef-eats-drinks-and-shops-in-tokyo-shingo-akikuni/ Where a Japanese chef eats, drinks and shops in Tokyo: Shingo Akikuni #accommodations #AdventureTravel #BusinessNews #BusinessTravel #economy #Entertainment #FamilyTravel #holidays #HospitalityAndLeisureIndustry #HotelsAndResorts #Japan #life #lifestyle #luxury #LuxuryTravel #Tokyo #TokyoTopics #tourism #travel #TravelSafety #VacationCosts #vacations #wealth #東京 #東京都 Shingo Akikuni is best known as the chef at SHINGO, a one-Michelin-starred J…

https://www.alojapan.com/1272536/more-than-half-are-in-asia/ More than half are in Asia #accommodations #AdventureTravel #beijing #BusinessNews #BusinessTravel #China #EconomicEvents #economy #Entertainment #FamilyTravel #ForeignPolicy #holidays #HospitalityAndLeisureIndustry #HotelsAndResorts #Japan #JapanNews #JapanTopics #life #lifestyle #luxury #LuxuryTravel #news #shanghai #Singapore #Tokyo #tourism #travel #UnitedStates #VacationCosts #vacations #wealth Asia is home to more than half of this summ…

Every time I read about disability #accommodations from universities and workplaces for #autistic, #ADHD, #dyslexic etc folks, which are only given to students/workers with proven diagnosis/doctor’s note about needing those accommodations - I just don’t understand: if all those things - lecture transcripts, accessible fonts, written/audio instructions etc - already exist, and others - like more flexibility with time cost next to nothing to provide - why people should prove bureaucratically their right for it? Why can’t it be the standard? Why can’t it be provided to anyone who simply requests? Like, what to they gain for not giving it to everyone asking?

"I came for the language, but I stayed for the community." ... I wish I could say. ⁉️
PyCon DE & PyData 2025

I wish I could have attended PyCon DE & PyData 2025, but was unable to due to unfortunate factors. Let me explain.

My name is Jessica, and I'm a maintainer of python libraries used by millions. I've used python for over 10 years, and have recently started joining the community where ever I'm able to.
I'm also fully blind.

Back In January/February I applied for financial aid to attend, and at the end of February my application was gracefully accepted.
Come the very start of March, when my acceptance had been confirmed, I wrote to the main PyCon DE & PyData help desk, explaining my situation, that I'm fully blind, and asking if any accommodations were possible and could be made.

A few days later I got a reply, that my request had been forwarded to the correct team, and that THEY would get back to me.

Waiting, is not fun, especially when you also have to book flights and accommodations for being there, especially if you don't know if it's all going to be for nothing.
A "Sorry, we are unable to provide accommodations" is totally okay, but that was not the answer I got.

I heard nothing.

Having heard nothing at end of March, I reached out again, to the help desk, asking for a followup at the start of April.
A whole week later, a little over a week away from the conference at this point, I get a response from the main desk again, letting me know that they've followed up directly with the on-site team, and someone will be in contact with me shortly to coordinate the best possible support for me.

Yet again - silence.
No email, no call, no dm... Nothing.

So I ended up not being able to attend. Not being able to join the community that I have come to love and cherish so much. And it's especially hard, because it's the closest PyCon to where I leave.

And let me be clear. I would totally have accepted a no, a sorry we can't do that. But hearing nothing at all, even after multiple followups, is not acceptable, regardless of if they were able to provide accommodations or not.

Personal opinion?
I feel like the community, in some way, has failed. For all the talk about accessibility, inclusion and diversity, it only feels like that mattered in this case if you were able to make things accessible yourself, if you were able to include yourself.

"I came for the language, but couldn't join the community" 💔

Feel free to like, comment or repost

#pycon #PyConDE #pydata #pydatade #pycon2025 #pyconde2025 #opensource #python #conference #blind #disability #disabled #dei #accessibility #a11y #inclusivity #diversity #accommodations

https://www.fogolf.com/936731/it-is-truly-beyond-my-imagination/ ‘It is truly beyond my imagination’ #Accommodations #Affiliate #AI #Courses #Enabled #Georgia #Golf #GolfCourses #GolfSwing #highlights #hotels #HotelsU0026Accommodations #Local #LocalAffiliateTravel #Mountain #MountainU0026SkiResorts #overall #OverallPositive #Positive #Resorts #ski #Story #StoryHighlightsAIEnabled #travel #u0026

https://www.alojapan.com/1240040/your-guide-to-budget-travel-2/ Your Guide to Budget Travel #accommodations #CherryBlossom #Japan #JapanAirlines #JapanTrips #trips Japan is a land of ancient temples, bustling cities, and natural beauty, and should be a bucket-list destination for many. Before the pandemic, Japan saw 30 million visitors every year, with those numbers expected to have peaked over 2024’s travel rush. At the moment, the yen is down, seeing almost three-month lows against the US …

https://www.alojapan.com/1235274/the-best-travel-deals-for-travel-tuesday/ The Best Travel Deals for Travel Tuesday #accommodations #AirlinesAndAirplanes #BlackFridayAndCyberMonday(Shopping) #BudgetTravel #Cruises #HotelsAndTravelLodgings #JapanTrips #tours #TravelAndVacations #trips As a sales season, Black Friday long ago turned the weekend corner to extend to Cyber Monday. And it’s still growing as Travel Tuesday gains traction. In a recent report, the consultancy McKinsey & Company found that bookings for hotels…

https://www.alojapan.com/1229983/your-guide-to-budget-travel/ Your Guide to Budget Travel #accommodations #CherryBlossom #Japan #JapanAirlines #JapanTrips #trips Japan is a land of ancient temples, bustling cities, and natural beauty, and should be a bucket-list destination for many. Before the pandemic, Japan saw 30 million visitors every year, with those numbers expected to have peaked over 2024’s travel rush. At the moment, the yen is down, seeing almost three-month lows against the US …

https://www.alojapan.com/1223066/luxury-escapes-and-scenic-cruises-explore-singapore-sydney-japan-and-canada-with-these-deals/ Luxury escapes and scenic cruises: Explore Singapore, Sydney, Japan, and Canada with these deals #accommodations #adventure #and #aweinspiring #balance #canada #cityscapes #Cruises #deals #ESCAPES #Exclusive #explore #hideaways #inclusions #indulgence #invite #island #Japan #JapanTours #luxury #natural #perfect #premium #scenic  #seeking #Singapore #sydney #These #toptier #tours #tranquil #travel #vibrant #with #wonders Have a short break in…

Source: @ACLU

From the article: "As part of President Donald Trump’s attempt to remake the federal workforce, several directives have been issued to terminate recently hired employees and gut entire agencies. Many federal workers have also been urged to resign under the premise that they will be paid through September 2025.

"The federal workforce includes hundreds of thousands of well-qualified disabled employees who work at all levels of the federal government. Some disabled employees receive accommodations in the workplace, including an elevated desk that a wheelchair can fit under, interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing employees, or screen readers for people who are blind or low vision.

"The entire federal workforce is facing unprecedented fear and uncertainty, but disabled workers face additional struggles as executive orders and damaging rhetoric question their right to receive needed accommodations. At the ACLU, we know that directives from the Trump administration do not change the law. It is still illegal to discriminate against a federal employee because of a disability and the federal government is still required to provide reasonable accommodations that do not cause undue hardship."

#FederalEmployees #FederalWorkers #Disabled #Disabilities
#Accommodations #ADA #Discrimination
#USPolitics #ThePoliticsOfHate #ThePoliticsOfGreed

https://www.aclu.org/news/disability-rights/rights-of-federal-employees-with-disabilities-explained

The #SocialSecurity Administration “eliminated” the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (OCREO) on Tuesday, Law Dork has learned. “The OCREO office has been eliminated,” the auto-response message read of a person who, as of Monday at least, had been a director in the office. “Please wait for instructions from the agency to request #EEO counseling, report #harassment, or guidance for reasonable #accommodations.” https://www.lawdork.com/p/social-security-administration-civil-rights-office #trump #doge #Musk #government #law #maga

“My daughter’s #iep has to include #accommodations for tablet use,” said friend, mother of a 3 year old. “What?” says I, “For a #prepreK? That can’t be right. I will ask an expert.” Expert consulted. Expert responds with rage explosion: #NewMexico #PreK now require tablet based #assessments of fucking #toddlers instead of authentic data collected by human professionals for #portfolios. #earlychildhood #developmentallyinapropriate #Overtesting #stopthemadness #education #teaching

Accommodations in a Nutshell
Artist ami.illustrates on Insta
#accommodations #disabled #disability #disabilitymemes #disabledmemes #chronicillnessmemes #chronicillness #chronicallyill #handicapped

A few years ago I caved and bought a cheap Robo vacuum.

I had resisted for years - scolding myself with gaslighting comments like “your condo is so small - you SHOULD be able to vacuum yourself”

I was so mean to myself that I refused an accommodation tool that would help me

This is a common experience for disabled people. We often struggle to ask for the help we need. We feel bad about requiring assistive devices or items that will make life easier.

We see them as a “frill” because other people have taught us we don’t “deserve” them

I bought the cheapest one I could find and it still sat in a box in my apartment for months before I finally set it up.

It sat in the corner taunting me. Reminding me that I shouldn’t have wasted money, that I’m pathetic for not being able to clean my own floor

This tiny little tool that most people buy without a second thought caused me so much mental anguish.

Why? Internalized ableism.

It was the same thing with a shower chair. I resisted for years because I felt it meant I was “lazy” or “giving up”

Imagine a non disabled person thinking that way? They wouldn’t.

When you’re non disabled you’re taught that you DO deserve all the nice things.

You need help with something? Cool! You earned it!

You want a Robo vacuum to save you time? Go get it you worked hard for it!

It’s capitalism and ableism all rolled into one.

This idea that if you’re economically active and healthy, you are entitled to all the great things.

If you’re not? Sit down and accept whatever scraps the world throws at you and be grateful for them

It’s harmful and it results in people pushing themselves to the point of harm

I passed out in the shower and dislocated my shoulder before finally getting a chair

I face planted while vacuuming and ended up black and blue.

For what? To appease some outdated notion of worth?

I firmly reject our societal conception of worth.

We all have worth. A person shouldn’t have to work or have good health to be considered deserving of help, accommodation or love.

So I set up my Robo vacuum… and something incredible happened

I fell in love with it. He became my best friend. This tiny little device brought me more joy than I ever thought possible.

With the touch of a button my entire floor was cleaned and I didn’t have to exert or risk my health

My mast cells improved because I was able to stay on top of dirt and dust better.

My POTS body appreciated not spending days in a horrible flare after an attempt at vacuuming that didn’t do half as good a job as my Robo pal.

He broke the other day - and I’m not embarassed to admit that I cried.

He served me faithfully for years … and had clearly been tired these last few months.

But when he made his final sad little “meep meep” noise… I shed a tear

I cried for the loss of my little buddy, but also for everything he gave to me.

He represented the beginning of my journey to lean into my disabilities. Start accepting and accommodating my body instead of fighting it.

It was a huge gift. It relieved me of an enormous load I didn’t even know I had been carrying.

Now I have various bathroom safety tools, I’ve baby proofed parts of my home, I have a carer help me with showers and other difficult activities of daily living.

I know now that I’m worth it - and in a weird way my Robo helped teach me that.

We are all worth it - and we need to do whatever we can to remind ourselves (and each other) of that fact every single day /14
The world can be a hateful place with many people looking to tear us down.

Never forget your worth isn’t about what’s in your bank account, how healthy you are or what your job is.

It’s about YOU. Who you are and what you bring to the world

You are loved. Just as you are.

#ableism #disability #disabilityjustice #accommodations #acceptance #chronicillness #spoonie #pots #mecfs #longcovid #eds #mcas

People often don’t think about or even purposely ignore #immunocompromised people or our #accommodations or #accessibility needs Keep reminding them that you exist 😷 Keep reminding them that your life matters 😷 #MyDisabledLifeIsWorthy #HighRiskCOVID19 #MasksSaveLives

If we stop saying “I’m disabled & that’s why I wear a mask”, or when we ask others to mask, it’s ALSO ignoring the need for #accessibility & #accommodations Our lives matter & we deserve to be included & accommodated 🧵 2/3

In discussions about #marginalized & #oppressed people, #immunocompromised people are often left out In discussions about #disabled people, immunocompromised people are often left out In discussions about #accommodations & #accessibility, immunocompromised people are often left out 🧵 1/2

This is a story of a #monopoly. It is also a story of #government #licensing, and #accessibility. There’s a bit of #MLM, but not the usual kind.

I am seeking employment as an #administrative #professional (#administrativeAssistant, #executiveAssistant, basically, #administrativeSupport). I was on a #contract with a #BigTech company, and the program I was supporting is sundowning, so about two-thirds of us were let go at the end of the fiscal year.

I’ve been applying to many places, some of which turned out to be #scams (any company with the word “travel”, “adventure”, or “vacation” in their name, and who claims to be looking for administrative anything is a scam. Ten times out of ten).

I also managed to apply to an insurance … organization. They are agents selling policies from a specific #BigInsurance, only through “agencies” (and sub-agencies - they unfortunately invited prospects (including me) to join their "huddles" on Zoom and I'm observant) and they are looking for prospects in specific regions of the #USA and #Canada.

This costs money, as this is a profession where you need a #license. The investment was reasonable, $49 for #training, another $49 for the #test, and another $50 for the license application, plus $45ish for #fingerprinting. Even if I choose not to work for the people who recruited me, credentials tend to be useful in some way.

I paid for the training on 04 Nov, paid for the test on 12 Nov (scheduled for 26 Nov), did the fingerprinting on 16 Nov. Also on 12 Nov, I tried to initiate the #accommodations process with the testing company, (the above-mentioned monopoly) Pearson VUE.

To apply for accommodations, the test-taker is asked to create an additional account on the accommodations portal. The final step of this process is to follow the steps in a “verification email” that may take up to fifteen minutes to be sent.

I /never/ received this email. Thus, I was never able to verify my account, or move forward in the process. After several telephone calls, I was provided an email address for the accessibility team.

On 21 Nov, I emailed the Pearson Accessibility team with a detailed, step-by-step, description of what I was doing, what I was seeing, and the fact that their system never provided me that verification email. Of course, since I’d already created the account, I was attempting to use the “Resend verification email” link (it runs a script). I included ten marked-up screenshots, and asked for a Read #Receipt.

I actually got a reply. However, the reply was “you actually sent this to the wrong place.” It also stated that Pearson VUE did /not/ manage accommodations requests, that was done by the entity who owned the test.

I replied to that email, copy-pasted the email with the steps, attached the screenshots, and asked for another Read Receipt. In that email, I said, “This should be a simple process. I have invested hours of my time in documenting the behavior I am seeing because no one at Pearson VUE accepts my word that I'm following the procedure and it is not working. This will also cost me money to extend my access to training materials until I'm able to test.”

This got a reply where I was informed my account had been locked due to “too many attempts.” On 22 November, I was able to actually log into the portal and get the information I needed to request the appropriate document from my #VocRehab counselor. I sent an email to both my counselor and her assistant, including the #IDC codes corresponding to my current situation (I’ve been an administrative pro long enough to know that the easier the request, the quicker it’s completed).

I received a request on 02 December to complete a DocuSign granting permission for my counselor to share the info with Pearson. Pearson’s website says the process can take “up to ten days,” so I scheduled my test for Friday, 20 Dec, figuring that would work.

On 13 Dec, Pearson notified my counselor that my request had been accepted, and the email included specific instructions for scheduling. The only option is to call a specific phone number. And they aren’t open on the weekend.

On Monday, 16 Dec, when I called, I was on hold “for the next available…” for 40 minutes. When I was finally able to speak to someone, they asked me to verify absolutely every bit of personal data they have on me. Then, I was told I would have to schedule the test at a Pearson Testing Center (there are several local ones). The first center, the one closest to me, did not have any openings until February. The next-closest had an availability for noon on January 17. I was put on hold while the agent tried to request that time. The call dropped.

Another 45 minutes waiting for an agent, and, again, I had to verify all the data. This time, after three “brief” holds of 5+ minutes, I was told the request was pending, and that I would receive a call.

I did receive a call on Thursday, 19 Dec, but my caller ID said it was from “State of California.” Which is /not/ Pearson, so I sent it to voicemail. The voicemail said I had to confirm that I wanted that time “within two business days” and I called back. After another long wait time, the agent said they needed to reach out to “that department” and after even more hold times, I was told that “Marcus” would call me back /that day/.

Of course he did not. I called back Friday morning, and, again, long hold times, and give the agent all the information. And “Marcus” wasn’t going to be in for twenty minutes (it was 9:40 CST, so, aha! he’s on PST). I called back at about 3:00 pm PST (5:00 pm my time). I used to support folks in all five time zones in the contiguous 48, so this is second nature). After another 45 minutes and stuff, the agent said that time was no longer available.

I followed all their steps and procedures. Apparently, the accommodations department at Pearson VUE is dependent on one person, Marcus. I should have been able to take this test by now. Nowhere on the website does it say that test takers requesting accommodations should NOT schedule online. I even deliberately scheduled to test at a local college because I /know/ they have the capability to provide the accommodations I need.

The really stupid part of this is all that time on hold and all that time documenting the misbehavior of their system.

I was promised a call on Monday, 23 Dec. Of course, I'm calling them.