March, 2022
101: Creating Inclusive Internship Experiences
2:00 - 3:30 pm Zoom
Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), a member of Qatar Foundation, is pleased to announce the launch of a series of webinars to celebrate the Autism Awareness Month. The webinars aim to inform the community of the autism spectrum disorder and celebrate neurodiversity and inclusion.
The first webinar titled “101: Creating Inclusive Internship Experiences”, which will take place on March 29, will be exclusive for QF community and will bring together leading experts from Qatar and the United States to shed light on myths around autism and discuss ways to create an inclusive workplace.
This webinar will coincide with the launch of the Inclusive Internship Days program, which aims to build an inclusive employment culture and support the transition of QF students from education to employment by introducing internship opportunities.
During the webinar, experts will discuss the autism spectrum disorder and the 4 A’s of autism and will conclude with an introduction of how employers can create inclusive culture and internships experiences.
The webinar brings together Dr. Stephen Shore, Professor of Special Education at Adelphi University, and Dr. Robert Naseef, Psychologist and Autism Expert; and it will be moderated by Ms. Effrosyni Parampota, QCDC’s lead expert of QCDC’s inclusive programs, and Chair of the Inclusion Working Group with QCDC, Awsaj Academy, PUE Inclusion & Wellbeing, and The Learning Center.
Webinar Outline:
- Introductions– 5 minutes
- Discussion points
- Part 1 – 10 Minutes: Ms. Effrosyni Parampota
-
- Overview of QCDC inclusive initiatives
- Part 2 – 20 minutes: Dr. Stephen Shore and Dr. Robert Naseef
-
- Overview of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
-
- The 4 A’s of Autism
- Part 3 – 45 minutes: Ms. Effrosyni Parampota, Dr. Stephen Shore and Dr. Robert Naseef
- Bursting the myths around autism in the workplace
- Creating inclusive culture in the workplace
- Adopting disabilities etiquette and first-person language
- Accommodations needed to create an inclusive workplace
- Advantages of inclusion and neurodiversity in the workplace
- Q&As – 15 minutes
- Closing and thanks
Biographies
Stephen Shore, Ed.D.: Although nonspeaking and recommended for institutionalization, with the support of his parents, and now his wife, Dr. Shore is a professor of special education at Adelphi University focusing on improving the lives of autistic individuals.
Stephen often talks about his 4 A’s of Autism – Awareness, Acceptance, Appreciation, and Action. Our past, present, and future efforts on Awareness builds a solid foundation for us to Accept and work with the characteristics of autism in education, finding suitable employment, and including people on the autism spectrum in the fabric of society so that we can Appreciate their contributions to society.
Robert Naseef, PhD: has a distinct voice as a psychologist and father of an adult son with autism. He has spoken around the US and trained professionals internationally in treating autism and supporting families. Along with Stephen Shore, Ed.D., Dr. Naseef is a lead consultant to the Arc of Philadelphia and SAP’s “Autism at Work” program which involves collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation. He speaks at conferences nationally and internationally on issues facing families of children with autism and other special needs. He has a special interest in the psychology of men and fatherhood.
Effrosyni Parampota, EMC, CCSP, GCDF-I is a career development expert and a DEI advocate, working for the last decade with Qatar Career Development Center. Among other goals, her work focuses on untapping career guidance potentials to improve the transition of People with Disabilities into Labor Market systems, create more opportunities to grow their skills, make informed choices about their professional future and encourage employers to create inclusive workplaces. Effrosyni is leading QCDC’s inclusive programs, and she is chairing the Working Group with QCDC, Awsaj Academy, PUE Inclusion & Wellbeing, and The Learning Center.
