About seven years ago, Stephen Dalina, Director of University Records Management under IP&O’s Business Services group, agreed to have a non-verbal autistic young man join Records Management as a volunteer. The request came as part of a Rutgers program to employ young adults with autism. Matt began volunteering, and this led to a paid position with Records Management where he continues to work today.
“Matt wanted to help out, and we needed the help,” said Dalina who recently participated in a summit hosted by the Rutgers Neurodiversity Task Force and the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS).
The Neurodiversity Summit was the third annual for the RCAAS. Dalina participated in a session entitled, The Benefits of a Neurodivergent Workforce: Perspective from Employers and Beneficiaries.
The seed to hire neurodiverse individuals was planted in Dalina some years before he hired Matt. When Dalina was looking for a new shredder for the university, he went to a company in the Bronx. He noticed they had a neurodiverse workforce. Dalina was immediately sold on the idea of a special needs workforce. When he was approached about Matt, he was excited to participate in the program to employ neurodivergent individuals.
“Matt excelled in his position and we soon decided to discuss financial compensation,” Dalina explained. “We eventually brought in two more volunteers.”
Employees/volunteers are assigned through the RCAAS and accompanied by assistants from the center. “It is truly a success story,” said Dalina. He added that there are realities to dealing with neurodiverse workers, but nothing insurmountable. “Sometimes it is hard to read a non-verbal person. It takes a little longer to connect with that person.” He continued, “Some nonverbal individuals may moan or grunt. You learn the difference between a good grunt and bad grunt. You learn to understand it, and it all becomes a matter of fact. Like anyone else, they have good and bad days, but they enjoy the work, and they look for challenges and really contribute.”
The key to a successful employment outcome for the neurodiverse community is to replicate a typical work day. “They have to figure out how to get here and do the work when they are here,” Dalina said. His three employees often use Uber for transportation and Uber Eats for obtaining lunch. These services are ideal for a non-verbal person, as everything can be communicated by phone.
IP&O has placed a total of nine neurodiverse individuals in their departments. In addition to Records Management, the Rutgers Golf Course, the cinema, and the mailroom all have neurodiverse workers, either paid or volunteer.
“We have such a great team here,” Dalina said of his employees. “Matt, Mark, and Anthony; they are all a great part of the team.”
Featured in the IP&O Newsletter, December 2024.
