ASP Launches an Autism Helpdesk for Colleagues

The ASP Autism Works creates genuine, sustainable economic empowerment opportunities in compassionate workplaces nationwide. First launched in 2016 as an employment initiative, ASP's CBR-inspired model empowers PWAs and their families towards success at work and guides the enterprise towards a sustainable process of assimilating persons with autism into the workforce. The program is running in 9 provinces: NCR, Benguet, Cavite, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Laguna, Quezon and Misamis Oriental.

Helpdesk for Colleagues Digital Poster

With workers on the autism spectrum now gaining more acceptance, accommodation and appreciation in compassionate workplaces, more people are given the opportunity to directly deal with neurodiverse individuals.

If you have questions on how best to work with colleagues on the spectrum, we suggest that you ask them directly. If this proves difficult, you can also ask ASP through this quick form. Expect an email response within 5 working days. If you have an urgent matter that needs guidance, please escalate to your company's Human Resources team for immediate attention.

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Posted in: autism-friendly spaces,autism-works,colleagues,employment

ASP Project Gourm-A celebrates an Autism-OK Pancake House

The Autism Society Philippines invites all to a Project Gourm-A [gur-'may] Autism-OK Dining Experience on 21 September 2019, Saturday, at the Pancake House along Tomas Morato in Quezon City (Map).

This ASP Autism Works x Project Gourm-A event aims to discover and show off skills of individuals on the spectrum in the restaurant industry. These encounters inspire acceptance, accommodation and appreciation of persons with autism through delivery of an autism-inclusive dining experience, development of employability skills of persons with autism in the food industry, development of autism-inclusive workplaces, and exposure of professionals in the food and hospitality industries to neurodiverse individuals.

Project GourmA Digital Poster

"This Project GourmA event is unlike the others we have done before," shares ASP National President Mona Magno-Veluz. "We are celebrating an Autism-OK Pancake House that has genuinely embraced inclusive employment; by hiring workers on the autism spectrum for permanent roles across various disciplines and locations within the company."

The Autism Society Philippines and Pancake House have recently inked a partnership towards the employment and support of workers on the autism spectrum; as well as providing the company training and tools for performance management, employee coaching and resource development. "I have seen the organization's commitment firsthand; and we are excited to work with them towards designing best-in-class practices in disability-inclusive employment, specific to the service and food industry."

"The Max's Group genuinely believes in the potentials of persons with disabilities," explains Pancake House Chief Operating Officer John Amante. "Our brands Teriyaki Boy and Sizzlin' Steak have been recognized with Franchise Excellence Awards for PWD Hiring -- the culmination of an initiative with the Benilde School for Deaf Studies. As leaders, we are eager to learn more about the how to bring out the best in our future employees on the autism spectrum."

Funds raised from this event will help support the ASP Autism Works program that help persons on the autism spectrum access jobs in compassionate workplaces, as well as employability training, counselling and life coaching necessary for sustainable and successful employment -- for some of the more than 200 workers on the autism spectrum receiving workplace support, across 9 provinces.

Join us! Sign up below to reserve your seats for either the 3:00pm or the 4:30pm merienda sena service. You will receive a confirmation email for your reservation.

The Autism Society Philippines, through its Autism-OK Philippines campaign, aims to build an autism-inclusive society by working proactively with the public and private sectors to create institutional mechanisms that inspire responsive policies and programs, autism-inclusive education, autism-friendly public spaces, compassionate workplaces, more transitions specialists, more professionals on the spectrum and livelihood opportunities for PWAs and their families. #AutismOKPH #TRENTAgether

(As of 19 September 2019, all seats are sold out)

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Posted in: autism-friendly spaces,autism-works,autismokph,food,fundraising,gourm-a

A Partner that Cares

SM Cares received a Special Recognition at the recently concluded ASEAN Corporate Sustainability Summit and Awards 2015 last March 27 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Makati. The award was received by Ms. Liza Silerio and Mr. Chito Bauzon. This singular acclaim was in recognition of its many efforts for the community, most especially for persons with disabilities.

The SM Team during the awarding

SM Prime, through its SM Cares, has shown continuous support and commitment to building a Filipino society welcoming to persons with autism and other disabilities. Since 2009, SM Mall of Asia and Arena hosted Angels Walk for Autism every January. This year, the Angels Walk in SM Arena gathered a record-breaking 12,000 autism advocates – the biggest event among all local PWD events. SM Supermalls comprehensive frontliner education (begun in 2004), which consists of training modules on handling customers with special needs, is best-in-class and is apparent in the way children and adults with autism are treated in SM Supermalls nationwide -- by mall management down to the cleaning staff. To date, ASP and other disability groups have reached more than 25,000 of SM front liners through this program.

SM Cares has been a valuable partner to the Autism Society Philippines in making available "Sensory-Friendly Movies: Sounds Down, Lights Up" to autism communities all over the country, through our National organization and our 72 provincial chapters. Since 2009, SM Cinemas have made possible the dream of many to enjoy a wholesome movie on a Sunday morning by offering children with autism and their families a safe, accessible and compassionate environment. This offering of sensory-friendly movies reflects a continuous aspiration to be attuned to unmet customer needs. SM Cinemas all over the country have become a training ground of sorts for children with autism to interact with and get exposed to the sights and sounds of a bustling society.

SM Supermalls nationwide have also become the home of "Colors of A Spectrum,” ASP’s photography workshop and exhibit showcasing the works of youth with autism mentored by photography experts. The latest of this partnership between SM Supermalls and ASP chapters was held in Baguio City for the 7th consecutive year last 22 February 2015. SM Supermalls also acmmodates other events organized by ASP chapters in various parts of the county, like the celebration of the World Autism Awareness Day every April 2. Historically, the first WAAD celebration in the Philippines was held in SM North EDSA in 2008.

With how SM Cares’ programs have profoundly affected the lives of many Filipinos with disabilities, our autism community feels the “heart” behind these high-impact initiatives is one worth emulating by business enterprises all over the world.

Congratulations SM Cares! Salamat po at nandiyan kayo!

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Posted in: autism-friendly spaces,sm