AsIAm Employment Seminar & Careers Event
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AsIAm is an Autistic-led advocacy organisation that embraces neuro-affirmative approaches to inclusivity, acceptance and participation. AsIAm's vision is a society in which every Autistic person is accepted “as they are” – equal, valued, and respected. Our purpose is to advocate for an inclusive society for Autistic people that is accessible, accepting and affirming.
We know that 80-85% of Autistic people in Ireland are unemployed or underemployed. This not only has significant financial consequences for our community, but also contributes to social isolation and a loss of independence and dignity. Critically, it represents a major loss of talent to both employers and our society. We know diverse workplaces are more successful and yet the knowledge, experience, expertise, and unique perspective of our community is all too often lost.
This situation can be changed. It will not require vast Government financial investment, or enormous new programmes. Instead, it will require changes to ways of thinking and working, which can often be small, inexpensive, and capable of rapid implementation. Many of these changes will not only benefit Autistic people but all employees, jobseekers and employers.
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, AsIAm will hold an Employment Seminar and Careers Event at at ATU Sligo campus in collaboration with the ATU Disability and Learning Support Service and the ATU Careers Service.
You'll have the chance to:
✅ Hear from Adam Harris (CEO) and the AsIAm Employment Team about AsIAm’s programmes designed to tackle autism unemployment.
✅ Learn about employment supports offered by the Department of Social Protection.
✅ Engage with autism service and education organisations, and Autistic community members.
✅ Partake in CV Development and Interview Skills Workshops for Autistic Jobseekers.
✅ Experience The Stepstone Group’s award-winning Accessibility Lab, an interactive space designed by IrishJobs’ parent company to challenge bias, build understanding, and support disability-inclusive hiring.
Event Schedule
Schedule is subject to change. This is a free event.
View the Same Chance Tool Kit - A step-by-step guide to becoming an autism friendly employer.
Seminar sponsored by Irishjobs.
With special thanks to ATU for hosting this AsIAm Employment Seminar and to the ATU Disability and Learning Support Service and ATU Careers Service for their support.
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VISUAL GUIDE
Panellists
Adam Harris is the Founder and CEO of AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity. He established AsIAm based on his own lived experience of growing up as an Autistic person in Ireland, with a clear vision to create a society where Autistic people are accepted “as they are - equal, valued, and respected”.
Under Adam’s leadership, AsIAm has become a cornerstone of autism advocacy in Ireland, driving national conversations and practical action across policy, education, and employment. Adam is a strong advocate for autism-inclusive employment, highlighting that Autistic people bring valuable skills and strengths to the workplace and want the opportunity to contribute meaningfully.
He consistently challenges the systemic barriers that continue to exclude Autistic people from employment, emphasising that this is not only a social justice and human rights issue but an economic imperative.
Through his work, Adam continues to champion a future where inclusive employment is embedded in workplace culture and where Autistic people are supported to thrive.
Marie Reilly is Marketing Manager for The Stepstone Group’s Irish recruitment platforms, IrishJobs, NIJobs and Jobs.ie She was a senior news producer with the BBC in London, working on major national programmes and covering significant global and political events, before returning to Ireland and moving into digital media as Content & Communication Editor for IrishJobs, NIJobs and Jobs.ie
She is passionate about accessibility and inclusion, helping to build IrishJobs' partnership with AsIAm, which promotes autism-friendly recruitment and workplaces to employers across Ireland. At Stepstone, she is a leading member of the Champions of Accessibility Network and was shortlisted for D&I Champion of the Year by the Axel Springer Group. She is particularly interested in building understanding to help employers drive change in HR practices to create more inclusive workplaces where everyone has the same chance to succeed.
Natalie Keogh is the DEI, Wellbeing & Engagement Lead at Allianz Ireland, driving initiatives that cultivate a culture of inclusion, belonging, and positive employee experience. With more than 20 years of HR experience in the insurance industry, she brings extensive insight into how people cantered practices strengthen organisational performance. Natalie previously served as a HR Business Partner, supporting leaders across multiple business areas before moving into her dedicated DEI and Wellbeing role in 2022.
Her work focuses on embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into everyday behaviours and long-term strategy, ensuring all employees have the opportunity to thrive. She leads a range of wellbeing and engagement programmes designed to support colleagues both personally and professionally. Natalie is passionate about creating workplaces where every voice is valued and is committed to fostering a culture of belonging. She continues to play a central role in shaping Allianz Ireland’s people culture, championing initiatives that make a measurable impact across the organisation. Her work continues to influence positive change, helping Allianz Ireland evolve into a more inclusive and resilient organisation.
Alice Bennett is a proud AuDHDer and a long-standing champion of inclusive and accessible workplace training that supports Autistic and other neurodivergent employees. She spent eight years in HR, Recruitment, and Talent Acquisition roles across Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and France.
At AsIAm, Alice facilitates one-to-one career coaching for Autistic adults and delivers inclusive employment education programmes to AsIAm’s Employment Partners, including a new initiative supporting small employers through our Autism Friendly Towns network across Ireland. Alice is also currently working on the Erasmus+ ‘Same Chance Employment’ project, which aims to develop employer-focused content, train-the-trainer modules, and an accessible e-learning platform to increase meaningful employment for Autistic people across Europe.