Disabled by Society’s Post

👋 First day back to work fully after almost 10 weeks of school holidays, so what better time for a re-introduction. 🙂 Since I essentially run 2 businesses, I know my content can be a little confusing - one day I’m talking about business strategy and the next I’m talking about supporting parent carers. So here’s the deal: I’m Claire, and I believe it sucks when people who can change the world (whatever that means to you), don’t! With that in mind, I use my 17 years experience as a business advisor & consultant, coupled with a Masters in Enterprise to support busy women to create value led businesses that change the world for them and the people they serve. I do that through 1-2-1 strategy days, Sounding Board Sessions and group training. I’m also a Mum to wonderful 13 & 10 year old boys and our life is definitely not a typical one. My eldest son has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare & progressive life shortening muscle wasting condition. He’s also autistic and his brother has DCD/ Dyspraxia. We average about 10 appointments every month including the weekly infusions that Luke gets as part of the clinical trial that he has been participating in for the last 6 years. Life is busy but also fun packed - it’s a full (even if often stressful) adventure. After my son was diagnosed, I became heavily involved in fundraising for research, campaigning for improved care services and becoming a patient advocate in rare disease drug development. I chaired the NI Council of Muscular Dystrophy UK and am currently a trustee of the charity. I left work to become self employed back at the end of 2019 because, like the 1 in 3 unpaid women carers in Northern Ireland who have to give up work to care for someone, my 9-5 became no longer tenable after my Mum (and entire support system) passed away suddenly just before Christmas 2018. For a few years, I mulled over what needed to be done to support professional women like me to be able to retain their financial independence while also caring for a child with additional needs, and earlier this year, Carers at Work CIC was born. Carers at work supports professional women to retain their financial independence either through supporting them to stay in employment or start their own business. To do that, we deliver enterprise programmes specifically for carer women, we support organisations to retain key talent through training their leaders & managers to create flexible cultures that support everyone and we develop the leadership capability of women parent carers in work, giving them the skills to advocate for themselves and their families, while also supporting their organisations to grow and build accessible cultures. I’m a big fan of collaborations and am always seeking to work with new organisations with similar values to mine, to support others. If you think we could work together, please do reach out via DM. (Photo credit: Divine Photography NI at a The Mums At Work Network event a while ago).

#FamiliesMonth beautifully underscores the profound significance of familial connections, whether they're biological or chosen. Indeed, family serves as a cornerstone, shaping not just our personal lives but also our professional endeavors. Your invitation to delve into stories from the Microsoft Families community resonates deeply, as it reflects the diverse tapestry of human experiences and the myriad of ways in which family influences and enriches our lives. Furthermore, by acknowledging the multiplicity of definitions that encompass the concept of family, you embrace inclusivity and recognize that family is not solely defined by blood ties. This inclusivity is vital in fostering a sense of belonging and support within the workplace, where individuals from diverse backgrounds and family structures come together to collaborate and innovate. Additionally, your recognition of the courage inherent in caregiving underscores the often unsung heroism of those who devote themselves to nurturing and supporting their loved ones. Caregiving demands resilience, compassion, and sacrifice, qualities that enrich both our personal relationships and our professional pursuits. Thank you for sharing, Lindsay-Rae McIntyre! #FamilyConnections #WorkLifeBalance #InclusiveFamily #CaregiverHeroes #ProfessionalDevelopment #EmpathyInAction #DiverseFamilies #SupportNetworks #CommunityEmpowerment #FamilyValues #MicrosoftCommunity #InclusiveWorkplace #EmpoweringEmployees #StrengthInDiversity #FamilyStories #ResilientFamilies #CompassionateCaregiving #BelongingAndSupport #FamilyInnovation #CelebratingDifferences #Gratitude #FamiliesMonth #Microsoft #MSSA

2024 was a great year for #neuroinclusion in the news! Thank you to all of the outlets who highlighted the experience of autistic workers and what employers can do to be more neuroinclusive. Here are some of our favorite stories: Richard Branson, a longtime auticon investor and supporter, wrote on the Virgin blog about how neurodivergent thinkers can close the skills gap: https://buff.ly/3UkgLqQ SHRM covered the importance of professional development opportunities for autistic employees: https://buff.ly/4g5bzks TriplePundit explored how #neurodivergent workers and business can thrive together with the right support: https://buff.ly/3R7vVyV TechBuzz News shared the launch of our new nonprofit, auticon Training Institute, that helps autistic adults launch their tech careers: https://buff.ly/3A8EILI We also have a couple of big stories in the works now that we can't wait to share with you!

Stuck in Program Purgatory? Here's Your Escape Plan! We've all been there. You sign up for an NGO program promising to launch you into disability ninja status (or something equally epic) ...only to find yourself graduating with a participation certificate and a vague sense of "maybe next time." Hey, NGOs, we really appreciate the effort! But sometimes, these programs feel like a revolving door. Let's be honest, real change takes more than a one-size-fits-all approach. Here's the real power move: This message is for YOU, the disability rockstar! Don't wait for a program to unlock your potential. You've got the skills, the talent, the inner badass waiting to be unleashed! Develop those skills, hone your craft, and shout your awesomeness from the rooftops. Become the facilitator of the next program, the sponsor with a wad of cash from your side hustle. (Because let's face it, some programs could use a serious funding upgrade ). The key to change lies within you. Love yourself enough to build yourself. You are unstoppable! #DisabilityEmpowerment #LevelUpYourSkills #BeTheChange Photo by Jaime Lopes on Unsplash

🌟 Exciting Opportunity Alert! 🌟 Join us at the exclusive H E A L T H C A R E & ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY EXPO by invitation only, hosted by The Disability Awareness Council in honor of the 34th Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary. 🎉 📅 Save the date: July 20th, 2024 📍 Location: 100 Library Drive, Room B, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 🕒 Time: 11 am - 4 pm Experience a day filled with innovation, inspiration, and education as we showcase the latest tech trends and innovations in healthcare and assistive technology. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Get your tickets now for $10 (includes food and drinks) and participate in our raffle with prices starting at $2. Secure your spot early before July 13th! Vendors, book your booth now - $50 for non-profit and $75 for profit businesses. Hurry, the registration deadline is approaching! Contact us at 919-245-4337 or email info@triangledac.org for more information. For online registration and payment options, visit triangledac.org. Join reputable vendors like Vendors - Vandel's Pharmacy, ScriptTalk, and Abbott Libre for a day of learning and networking. Take advantage of free health screenings and CPR training conducted by Abundant Life Services for just $50 per person. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind event shaping the future of healthcare and assistive technology! 🚀 #HealthcareTech #Innovation #DisabilityAwareness #TechTrends

Someone asked me how we could address the way we fail the care economy and I think that may be the exact wrong approach to it all together. Economy denotes monitory value and thus buys into the belief that certain things have specific intensic worth. Rather, if we see it as a basic necessity and fund it as such, we would be less worried at how "expensive" it is. From birth until death, we all utilize care in one way or another. I like to reflect on marginalized communities of color who have had to rely on their communities to support one another since society scarcely provides the resources needed to allow them to thrive. What can we learn from informal mutual aid systems in these communities to rethink how we provide aid to society? How do we undue the Reagon and Clinton policies that resulted in the starvation of certain communities based on ableist and racist beliefs of who is deserving of resources. We as a society are able to provide the level of assistance needed. We saw peeks of this during the great depression and in the deepest parts of the COVID pandemic. We even saw groups like the Black Panthers come together to provide free food and childcare for community members (this even impacted the 504 sit-ins). Anyhow, just some rambling thoughts as we close out the work week.

If you’re a parent or caregiver to someone with disabilities, you know the financial challenges can be overwhelming. ABLE accounts offer a way to save for your loved one’s needs without jeopardizing their access to crucial benefits. But how does it work, and is it the right fit for your family? Read the blog and join the conversation! Do you already have an ABLE account? Or are you considering one? Share your experiences, questions, or thoughts in the comments. Let’s support each other on this path to securing brighter futures for our loved ones! https://bit.ly/4i76ER9 #ABLEAccounts #SpecialNeedsPlanning

🌐💬 Embrace Community & Connections: Expand Your Social Circle! 🌟👫 Ready to broaden your horizons and forge new connections? It's time to expand your social circle and discover kindred spirits who share your passions and interests! 💖✨ First, identify the issues or interests that truly resonate with you—whether it's environmental activism, book clubs, gaming, or cooking, there's a community out there for everyone. 🌿📚 Next, take the plunge and join groups both in person and online where you can engage with like-minded individuals and build meaningful friendships. 🌐💫 Attend meetups, participate in forums, or join social media groups dedicated to your chosen interests. 🎉👥 By expanding your social circle, you not only enrich your own life but also contribute to the vibrant tapestry of communities around you. 🌟💬 Embrace the diversity of perspectives and experiences, and watch as your world expands in beautiful ways. 🌍🌈 So go ahead—take the first step towards building new connections and fostering a sense of belonging! 🚀💕 #Community #Connections #SocialCircle #Friendships #InterestGroups #ExpandYourHorizons #MeetNewPeople #OnlineCommunity #InPersonEvents #SharedInterests #FindYourTribe #Belonging #Diversity #Inclusion #BuildingConnections

🌐💬 Embrace Community & Connections: Expand Your Social Circle! 🌟👫 Ready to broaden your horizons and forge new connections? It's time to expand your social circle and discover kindred spirits who share your passions and interests! 💖✨ First, identify the issues or interests that truly resonate with you—whether it's environmental activism, book clubs, gaming, or cooking, there's a community out there for everyone. 🌿📚 Next, take the plunge and join groups both in person and online where you can engage with like-minded individuals and build meaningful friendships. 🌐💫 Attend meetups, participate in forums, or join social media groups dedicated to your chosen interests. 🎉👥 By expanding your social circle, you not only enrich your own life but also contribute to the vibrant tapestry of communities around you. 🌟💬 Embrace the diversity of perspectives and experiences, and watch as your world expands in beautiful ways. 🌍🌈 So go ahead—take the first step towards building new connections and fostering a sense of belonging! 🚀💕 #Community #Connections #SocialCircle #Friendships #InterestGroups #ExpandYourHorizons #MeetNewPeople #OnlineCommunity #InPersonEvents #SharedInterests #FindYourTribe #Belonging #Diversity #Inclusion #BuildingConnections

More child care and employment data to arm yourself with: For every $1 organizations spent on support for employees with children, they reaped $18 in benefits! That's an 18% ROI, where else can you see returns like that? Check out this new research from Vivvi and The Fifth Trimester: https://lnkd.in/e7HQQk9n Featuring Lauren Smith Brody of The Fifth Trimester and Lauren Hobbs of Vivvi.