How do we use data to influence policy? How can we work together to make system level change? The Worktopia National Employment Network came together for a second time in 2019 to tackle these questions during a half day session at Hotel Alma in Calgary, AB. The Worktopia Network is comprised of a wide range of stakeholders with a shared interest in changing the odds of employment success for people on the autism spectrum.

Attendees had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Jen Zwicker, Director of Health Policy at the UCalgary School of Public Policy. Her presentation on the Untapped Neurodiverse Workforce included the latest employment data from the 2017 Canadian Survey on Disability, as well as information on the latest research efforts to examine poverty measure relevance for persons with disabilities.

Later in the morning, attendees put their heads together as XinJie Cui, the Chief Analytics Officer, from PolicyWise ran a working session on Data to Impact. Informative and action-oriented, the session gave attendees practical tips and tools to create impactful stories from their data.

The day wrapped up with an interactive and dynamic panel of inclusive employers hosted by Rod Miller, President and CEO of CPHR Alberta. Rod, along with Garth Johnson, CEO of Auticon Canada and Kathy Hughes, Director of HR at the Hyatt Regency Calgary, shared their experience and insights on how to move from intent to action and to build workplaces that are more inclusive. If you are interested in participating in the Worktopia National Employment Network, please Join the mailing list, or contact us at info@worktopia.ca.