The Bottom Line of Disabilities: Investing in Social Change
Date: Wednesday, January 13, 2016
3rd Floor Conference Center, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
This symposium is one in a series that convenes expert panelists including corporate and civic leaders, advocates, and industry professionals to discuss the economic impact that disabilities have in our communities.
Presentation Documents
Presentation Documents- Autism in the Workforce: Identifying Obstacles and Leveraging Innovation - Joseph Gousie, Sr.
- Leveraging Innovation through Public/Private Partnership - Thorkil Sonne
- CAI – Specialisterne Partnership – Ernie Dianastasis
- The Employment Odyssey: A View from the Cliff - Stephanie Mackay
- Research and Practice that Informs Innovation: The research perspective - Craig Newschaffer
Videos
VideosPhotos
Event Detail
The Bottom Line of Disabilities: Investing in Social Change
“Autism in the Workforce: Identifying Obstacles and Leveraging Innovation”
ABOUT THIS EVENT
This symposium is one in a series that convenes expert panelists including corporate and civic leaders, advocates, and industry professionals to discuss the economic impact that disabilities have in our communities. It is an opportunity for candid conversations about the innovative ways to tackle the pressing social, financial, and economic issues related to disabilities. Beginning in 2014, the first two installments of this series took place in Salt Lake City, and we are delighted to bring this important discussion to Philadelphia in 2016. A portion of the proceeds from the program will be donated to Columbus Community Center.
View resources from the first series installment (July 2014)
View resources from the second series installment (January 2015)
ABOUT THE ISSUES
One in five individuals in the general population has a disability. Public policy and traditional funding sources have created safety nets, provided opportunity for community integration, and given a voice to some of the most vulnerable in our communities. However, the social, financial, and personal costs of disabilities can be staggering. How do government policies frame the issues? Can we harness entrepreneurship and capital markets to drive social change that has meaningful impact? Panelists have included a cross section of business, government, academic, and civic leaders discussing the roles that governmental entities, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, researchers, businesses, and the nonprofit sector play in facilitating and advancing opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has come to the forefront as a diagnosis that has lifetime implications for families and society. Currently, 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is being diagnosed, and worldwide 1% of the population is estimated to have ASD. New Jersey and Utah have the highest rates of autism in the U.S. with 2% of those states’ populations being diagnosed. Young adults with ASD leaving public school are facing an 80% unemployment rate, the highest of any demographic. Cost to families over a lifetime is estimated at $2 million. IT companies like SAP, CAI, and Microsoft are recognizing the unique, innovative thinking that those with ASD can bring to the workplace and re-thinking accommodations. Some of the cutting-edge academic studies, policy work, and employment practices are emerging in the northeast U.S.
8:15 Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM Welcome
- President Patrick Harker, President, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
- Stephanie Mackay, Director of Development, Columbus Community Center and GIC Board Member
- Philippa Dunne, co-editor of The Liscio Report and Sightlines Bulletin and GIC Board Member
9:15 AM Session I: Leveraging Innovation through Public/Private Partnerships
- Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware
- Thorkil Sonne, CEO, Specialisterne
- Ernie Dianastasis, Managing Director, CAI
10:15 AM Session II: Research and Practice that Informs Innovation
- Craig Newschaffer, Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University
- Stephanie Mackay, Director of Development, Columbus Community Center and GIC Board Member
- Joseph N. Gousie, Sr., Director of Non-Traditional Career Services and Training, Elwyn
11:45AM Conclusion
- Philippa Dunne, co-editor of The Liscio Report and Sightlines Bulletin and GIC Board Member
Event Location
Speakers
Ernie Dianastasis
Managing Director, CAIErnest (Ernie) Dianastasis is Managing Director of CAI’s Delaware Valley Operation and is a principal in the company. CAI is a global Information Technology (IT) consulting, integration and outsourcing services organization that focuses on IT productivity with over 4,500 associates world-wide.
Philippa Dunne
Co-Editor, The Liscio Report and Sightlines BulletinPhilippa Dunne is co-editor of two independent macro-economic newsletters: The Liscio Report, with a trading focus, and Sightlines Bulletin, which takes a longer perspective.
Joseph N. Gousie, Sr.
Director of Non-Traditional Career Services and Training, ElwynAs a professional, Mr. Gousie has spent 45 years working in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism. Forty of those years were spent as an executive director of agencies serving people with IDD. During his long career, he has developed and managed a variety of programs and services for people with IDD from young children to senior citizens. In the latter part of his career, he has concentrated his work specifically working in programs and services for people on the autism spectrum. Most recently, his work has been in employment services and career counseling for people with IDD. Mr. Gousie’s extensive career allows him to have a unique perspective in the field of IDD programs and services.
Patrick T. Harker, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of PhiladelphiaPatrick T. Harker took office on July 1, 2015, as the 11th president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. In this role, Dr. Harker participates on the Federal Open Market Committee, which formulates the nation’s monetary policy.
Stephanie Mackay
Board Director, Switchpoint Community Resource CenterStephanie has spent the last two decades in the nonprofit sector working as a social entrepreneur and nonprofit leader where she brings a strong voice to the table to promote solutions for the most vulnerable citizens in our communities.
Jack Markell
Governor of DelawareJack Markell has served as Governor of Delaware since 2009, after being elected in 2008 (67% of the vote) and re-elected in 2012 (69%). He is term-limited and will complete his time as Governor in January 2017.
Craig Newschaffer
Director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel UniversityCraig Newschaffer is founding director of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute at Drexel University and a Professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the Drexel University School of Public Health. The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute applies a public health science approach to address challenges facing individuals with ASD and their families.
Thorkil Sonne
Founder, Specialisterne and the Specialist People FoundationThorkil Sonne is internationally recognized for his work founding Specialisterne (Danish for “The Specialists”) and the Specialist People Foundation. In partnership, these two organizations are working towards the goal of creating job opportunities through social entrepreneurship, corporate partnerships and innovative employment models for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Partners
