The Cultural Lens of Neurodiversity: The Shift from Diagnosis to Culture

The Cultural Lens of Neurodiversity: The Shift from Diagnosis to Culture

by | Mar 20, 2025

Historically disability has been labeled a medical circumstance, but as communities grow many disability groups are reclaiming their identity as a culture. Jillian will share how to understand neurodiversity from a cultural lens, cultural points of neurodiversity, and language to support neurodiversity effectively.

Presenter: Jillian Nelson

Image: Andrew Coltrin, white male with graying hair and glasses, smiling in his home office.

Jillian Nelson is a Queer autistic adult from Saint Paul, MN and is the full time Policy Director for the Autism Society of MN (AuSM). Jillian is passionate about disability justice and teaching others to advocate for themselves, as well as reforming existing systems through legislation and advocacy to create a more equitable and accessible society for people with all types of disabilities. She is passionate about diversity and intersectionality and how that unfolds in the mosaic experience of people with disabilities. She also enjoys exploring new places, theater, and the Minnesota Lynx, as well as spending time with her partners.

Visual description- white woman with long brown and teal hair wearing a black sweater and silver necklace smiling in front of a brick wall.

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Self-Advocacy in Consumer Matters

Self-Advocacy in Consumer Matters

by | Feb 24, 2025

This presentation will discuss major financial transactions that young adults with disabilities will eventually be faced with. Those with disabilities are most vulnerable to exploitation, and abuse in conducting financial transactions. Because of that, this presentation will address ways to advocate for us to make empowered financial decisions and fight for what we deserve.

Presenter: Shalese Heard

Image: Andrew Coltrin, white male with graying hair and glasses, smiling in his home office.

Shalese Heard, the author of Neurodivergent Millionaire (the first and only financial literacy book written from the Neurodivergent perspective) is an online influencer who teaches Autistic adults how to travel the world, build financial freedom and self advocacy. Shalese is an author, YouTuber, and speaker. She obtained a dual Master’s degree in Business Administration and Environmental Public Health.

Shalese’s career is a bit unconventional.  She’s spent most of her career self employed with various entrepreneurial ventures. Struggling to get a job after graduation; she created her OWN job. She created her own car rental business renting out her cars on a car sharing platform. What started out as a side hustle ended up as a full time living that allowed her the freedom to travel the world. She has worked on/off as a Geologist. Eventually she has turned her social media endeavors (YouTube, writing, consulting, speaking) into viable income streams.

Throughout her career journey, she struggled with finding her place professionally as an Autistic person. She also realized the importance of financial freedom as an Autistic person, that being financially free is imperative for our self esteem, mental and physical health.

Her own experiences made her passionate about showing other Autistic people ways to create financial freedom for themselves. It all began with her drive and tenacity to find income streams to fund her special interest: world travel. In her spare time, she enjoys fashion, jumping waves at the beach, going to the spa and cooking new recipes.

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Painting the Picture of Progress: Case Notes that Showcase Your Effort and Customer Growth

Painting the Picture of Progress: Case Notes that Showcase Your Effort and Customer Growth

by | Feb 20, 2025

Join us for the “Painting the Picture of Progress” webinar, where Dan Rutten, Senior Training and Development Manager at Wise, will guide you through best practices for writing impactful case notes. Learn how to effectively document customer growth, connect notes to goals, and showcase your efforts. This session will provide practical tips and strategies to enhance your case note writing skills and support your professional development.

Presenter: Dan Rutten, Wise

Image: Andrew Coltrin, white male with graying hair and glasses, smiling in his home office.

Dan has been working in the field of Supported Employment since 2001 and has worked as a Job Coach, Employment Consultant, and Program Manager. Dan is also a Certified Benefits Planner via Cornell University’s CWIP credentialing program and received his BA in Social Sciences from the University of Washington. Being a strong believer in the idea that knowledge exists to be shared, not be kept, Dan enjoys collaborating with people whenever possible. Dan’s professional interests include benefits planning, job coaching strategies, environmental adaptations, Person Centered Planning, utilizing goal setting to drive services, as well as program management strategies.

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Bad Bananas & Beyond: Creative Tools for Employment Success

Bad Bananas & Beyond: Creative Tools for Employment Success

by | Feb 20, 2025

This webinar revisits a 2018 Wise webinar session, Bad Bananas, with a fresh 2.0 twist—bringing new insights and engaging storytelling to the world of creative workplace supports. Presenter Emily Harris will showcase how simple (and fun!) it can be to develop customized on-the-job tools that foster independence and success. Through real-life examples, she’ll demonstrate how these tools not only support fading strategies but also enhance long-term employment outcomes. Emily will also share practical tips for gathering information about an individual’s strengths and support needs—and how to transform that knowledge into innovative workplace solutions.

Curious about what bananas, tape, cats, and Gene Simmons have in common? Join us to find out!

Presenter: Emily Harris, Senior Training and TA Manager, Wise

Image: Andrew Coltrin, white male with graying hair and glasses, smiling in his home office.

Emily Harris has a lifelong connection to the disability community, shaping her career and passion for equitable employment. With over 16 years of experience, she has worked as an Employment Consultant, Positive Behavior Support Consultant, and Trainer. Emily has collaborated with individuals, families, employers, schools, and agencies across the Pacific Northwest and internationally in New Zealand. She believes in inclusion and full participation as essential truths, with work being a key component of this journey.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Arts and Letters, focusing on Women’s Studies and English, and is a Certified Employment Professional through APSE. She served for seven years on the National APSE Employment Support Professional Certification Council, working to professionalize supported employment and empower professionals.

As a trainer, Emily excels in Person-Centered Planning, Discovery, graphic facilitation, video resumes & storytelling, Job Development, and Customized Employment. She is passionate about networking for Employment Consultants, collaborating with community employers, and empowering siblings in peer support roles. Currently, she leads the Wise Online Academy 100 Series, an international training program supporting over 250 students annually in securing sustainable employment.

Emily loves connecting with people and believes community connections are key to meaningful employment opportunities. Her enthusiasm for forging connections drives her work in equitable employment to new heights.

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How to Navigate Employment Accommodations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

How to Navigate Employment Accommodations for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

by | Feb 20, 2025

This webinar will focus on practical strategies for supporting employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs. You will learn how to negotiate accommodations, handle disclosures, manage disclosure of mental health challenges, and adapt to changing accommodation needs due to unpredictable mental health crises. We’ll also discuss types of resources and support and how to adjust support during mental health crises, ensuring individuals with dual diagnoses succeed in the workplace.

Presenter: Irene Cordero (she-her) MA, MC, RCC, CCC

Brave Sinergy Partner

Image: Andrew Coltrin, white male with graying hair and glasses, smiling in his home office.

Irene Cordero is a Costa Rican-Canadian entrepreneur, clinical counsellor, international speaker, human resources professional with over 20 years of international experience, ally for BIPOC and Latinx groups, the LGBTQ+2 community and the founder and CEO of Brave Sinergy. Her diverse background has allowed her to understand the value of creating, respecting and building inclusive spaces for everyone.  She believes that there is no diversity without disability.

Irene holds a master’s degree in clinical group psychology and recently graduated with her second master’s degree in counselling from the City University of Seattle in Canada. In 2022, she obtained an Inclusion and Diversity certification from Cornell University.

Irene is a woman with a disability (deaf—hard of hearing). Advocating and being an ally for disability justice has allowed her to find fulfillment in her life. Irene believes, “People are Whole, and we all have something good to give the world.”

She lives with her partner, Michel, and her two dogs on Vancouver Island, Canada.  She enjoys being out in nature, meditation, and cooking.

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