Job SeekersApril 24, 2023by Aron Mercer
I love coffee. After years living in Melbourne I have an appreciation for the sights and aroma of cafes and used to love nothing more than pretending I was a digital nomad and working from a cafe. However, as we continue to navigate the pandemic and adjust to new work environments, I have come to...
International Women’s Day has long been a celebration of women’s achievements and a call for action to create meaningful change to gender inequality. But here is the thing, as women boldly cry out for greater equity in society there is vast inequality amongst its own gender when we start examining cross-sectionality. One such area is...
Latest ArticlesFebruary 22, 2023by Aron Mercer
Why Unstructured Meetings Are Challenging for Autistic People
I have both a confession and an apology to make. Every primary school report card I ever had included the same sentence: ‘Aron is frequently distracted and often distracts others’. I’m afraid this attribute has followed me into adulthood and is most visible in unstructured meetings. An unstructured meeting is a primary school classroom for...
As businesses continue to prioritise diversity and inclusion within their workplace, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of disclosure of personal characteristics, such as sexuality and disability, in fostering a sense of belonging among employees. While most available data suggests the vast majority of employees with disabilities do not disclose, Forbes, only...
Business newsEmployeesLatest ArticlesJanuary 16, 2023by Aron Mercer
A Balancing Act: The Impact of AI on Employment for Individuals with Disabilities
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and tools like ChatGPT have the potential to greatly benefit the employment of people with disabilities, both visible and invisible. The use of AI and automation in the workplace can provide new opportunities for employees with disabilities to participate in the workforce and remove barriers that have traditionally made it difficult for...
EmployersLatest ArticlesTechnologyDecember 15, 2022by Aron Mercer
Practical advice on how to recruit and retain autistic professionals
This is a recorded conversation with one of Xceptional’s tech partners Zoho Recruit offering practical advice on how to recruit and retain autistic professionals.
Aron Mercer explains that a one-size-fits-all approach is never the correct way to boost DEI initiatives and offers his insights on how organisations can provide relevant accessibility, gain literacy around inclusivity and create a platform of ‘disclosure without ridicule’ in workspaces. Listen to the podcast here: https://soundcloud.com/article-23/have-you-worked-with-someone-who-identifies-as-neurodivergent
BusinessOctober 28, 2022by Aron Mercer
The unexpected benefits of COVID19
(By Aron Mercer and Georgie Chinchen) 2020 was supposed to be a year of growth for Xceptional. We had funding thanks to Google.Org, Westpac and AMP, a growing team and diverse customers. In March of 2020, we were busy organising a neurodiversity at work breakfast in Sydney, a sold out event which was to be...
BusinessOctober 24, 2022by Aron Mercer
Autism At Work – ABC Podcast
What’s it like being an autistic person in the workplace, and how can managers and colleagues help this group thrive? How can we make the most of the unique super powers of this under-employed cohort – especially in the midst of a labour shortage. We connect at work through humour – but for autistic people...
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Xceptional acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.