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Career network

AV Career Network – Empowering Neurodivergent Professionals



Our Career Network

Building a Professional Network — The Right Way

The Career Network began with a simple idea:

To create a professional business network for neurodivergent talent.

A space for speakers, industry leaders and experienced professionals to connect, share insight and strengthen workplace inclusion.

But something became clear.

Many who attended were not established professionals.
They were job seekers.
Career transitioners.
Individuals rebuilding confidence.
People still learning to see themselves as professionals.

The original format didn’t fully meet that need.

So we adapted.


Why We Evolved

Rather than forcing the model, we listened.

We realised that before building a high-level professional network, we needed stronger foundations:

  • Structured job seeker pathways

  • Clear career development frameworks

  • Deeper community conversations

  • More accessible entry points

That insight led to the development of the broader World of Work ecosystem — including the Job Seeker Network, structured Roadmap delivery, coaching pathways and the Topic Spotlight podcast.

Now, we are returning to the original goal — with better infrastructure.


The Role of the Podcast

The World of Work – Topic Spotlight Podcast is now the public-facing driver of the Career Network.

It gives us:

  • A professional platform

  • Visibility beyond events

  • A way to engage employers and industry leaders

  • Promotional opportunities for partners

  • Content that feeds advocacy and funding conversations

Each episode generates discussion, insight and momentum — which flows into Touchstone sessions and informs future direction.

The podcast strengthens both community engagement and external credibility.


Where We Are Now

The Career Network is moving back toward its original purpose:

A visible, respected professional network for neurodivergent talent.

But this time, it is supported by:

  • A structured Job Seeker pathway

  • Coaching models that build capability

  • Community insight through Touchstones

  • A growing digital presence

  • Clearer alignment with funding and partnership strategy

This allows us to engage employers and sponsors with confidence.




2026 Career Network Ecosystem Timetable

How the Podcast, Community Conversations, and Job Seeker Network Work Together

Month

Podcast Spotlight

Community Touchstone

Job Seeker Network

Ecosystem Focus

March

Launch Bundle: Why Work Systems Need Rethinking

Productivity Debate

Orientation & Context Session
+
Community discussion on sustainable output

Roadmap Relaunch
+
Module 1: Self-Positioning

Setting the foundation
+
Redefining productivity

April

Rethinking Recruitment

Recruitment barriers unpacked

Module 2: Strengths & Capacity

Fixing the hiring filter

May

Real Barriers Aren’t Personal

System design vs individual blame

Module 3: Energy & Regulation

Shifting the narrative

June

Why Interviews Fail

Interview reform conversation

Module 4: Resume Logic

Moving toward task-based hiring

July

Starting Lines (Young Job Seekers)

Early pathway breakdowns

Module 5: Recruitment Pathways

Strengthening entry points

August

Executive Function at Work

Cognitive load & support design

Module 6: Interviews & Advocacy

Making invisible labour visible

September

Beyond Accommodations

Redesign over checkbox inclusion

Module 7: Workplace Fit

From adjustments to architecture

October

Pipeline Problem

Mapping drop-out points

Module 8: Transitions & Resilience

Building continuity

November

Autistic Entrepreneurship

Alternative pathways discussion

Module 9: Self-Employment & Portfolio

Expanding what “work” means

December

Future of Work (Flagship)

Vision Session for 2027

Module 10: Reflection & Next Steps

Synthesis & forward planning

January 2027

“What I Wish Employers Knew” (Community Episode)

Live Multi-Voice Recording

Turning insight into advocacy



An Invitation

The Career Network is in development.

We are strengthening it intentionally and welcome:

  • Employers who want to partner

  • Professionals who want to contribute

  • Sponsors aligned with our mission

  • Community members ready to step into visibility

This is about building a professional ecosystem that supports neurodivergent talent at every level — from emerging job seekers to experienced leaders.

The foundation is now stronger.
The direction is clearer.

And we are building it together.



A Business Arm Within a Community Organisation

World of Work is becoming the professional and enterprise-facing arm of Autism Valued.

Not separate from our community values.
Reinforced by them.

We are building:

  • Professional partnerships

  • Promotional platforms

  • DGR-aligned charitable project support

  • Sustainable funding pathways

  • Opportunities to directly employ more autistic professionals

This is social enterprise thinking within a not-for-profit framework.

Professional infrastructure.
Community heart.




Upcoming events

    • 7 Aug 2026
    • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register


    Module 05 - Understanding Workplaces


    We are relaunching the Job Seeker Network & Roadmap

     Autism Valued has launched a new cycle of the AV Job Seeker Network with an enhanced 9-Module Job Seeker Roadmap, a practical, community-led career development program designed for Neurodivergent job seekers.

    For more details, click here

    Meeting Details

    Participants gain access to a 09 module self-paced learning series, alongside monthly Job Seeker Meetings, on the last Friday of every month. that provide space for reflection & questions, regardless of which module someone is currently engaging with.


    About This Session

    This month’s module focuses on understanding workplace environments and accessibility before accepting a role.

    What’s Included


    All AV facilitators and volunteers are peers of their group participants and hold a valid Working with Children Check. If you know a child whom could benefit from our sessions, they must be registered by the parents membership, and/ or accompanied by an adult.

    Cost and Membership Information

    • Free for AV Members 
    • $10 for Non-Members

    Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. Please contact coordinator@autismvalued.org.au for more details.

    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Facilitator (JSN)

    Sarah Ballard
     jsmoderator@autismvalued.org.au 

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms

    Join the AV Job Seeker Network and take the first step toward meaningful employment, supported by a community that values your unique strengths and potential.

    • 27 Aug 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register



    AV Career Network Touchstone

    Support That Helps People Work Better

    Session 5 of 9 · Thursday 27 August 2026, 6:00–7:00 PM AEST .
    Free for AV members · $10 for non-members.


    In Short

    This month's Touchstone continues the conversation from The World of Work episode "Adjustments as Performance Enhancers". A community conversation about the supports, structures and conditions that help people work, study, volunteer or participate better.


    What This Session Is About

    Many supports called “adjustments” are examples of good work design: clear expectations, prioritisation, reduced friction, protected focus, recovery and better communication.

    This is a community listening space, not a lecture. We want to hear directly from autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent people, families, workers, jobseekers, employers and supporters. What you share may help shape future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.


    What Is a Touchstone Meeting? — and Why We Capture It

    A Touchstone meeting is a structured, regularly scheduled check-in designed to foster connection, alignment and communication — a model commonly used in relationships, education and community-building.

    At AV, our Touchstone discussions are exactly that, but with a specific purpose: this isn't a companion event to the podcast, it's where the community actually shapes what comes next. Each session exists to capture real, lived-experience discourse around that month's episode topic, so it can directly inform future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.

    That includes hearing from people who listened to the episode beforehand and want to respond directly, as well as anyone coming to the topic fresh — both are equally valuable. If something you say tonight shapes a future episode or a piece of advocacy, that's the point, not a side effect.

    We use AI-assisted capture during the facilitated conversation — not a video recording. That means the discussion itself is analysed for themes and insights, but no video or audio of you is published as footage. Jacob will always name the capture window clearly when it starts and stops, so you always know when it's active.

    How this connects forward

    As the podcast continues, these discussions align directly with each episode, forming a continuous loop: Episode → Community Reflection → Insight → Action.


    This Month's Podcast Anchor

    This Touchstone is built around the World of Work episode "Adjustments as Performance Enhancers", with Leslie Clements. Listening before you attend makes the conversation richer, but it isn't required.

    Full episode hub: https://podcast.autismvalued.org.au

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube · Amazon Music · RSS feed

    Or search "World of Work" in your preferred podcast app.


    Your Facilitators

    • Jacob Alan Kness — Programs Manager, Autism Valued Inc. · Session host and room manager

    • Xavier Gunn Founding Data Scientist, Minikai · Session facilitator


    Before You Attend

    Please read the Participant Guide before the session. It covers the run sheet, our shared group agreements, ways to take part, and this month's discussion questions in full, so we can spend our time together in conversation rather than reading through slides.

    Download: AV Touchstone — August Participant Guide (PDF) 

    Access and Inclusion

    • Cameras and microphones are optional throughout the session.

    • The Zoom chat is always available for people who prefer to participate in writing.

    • Sessions run to a clear structure and time, and stick to it.

    • If you have any access needs we should know about before the day, contact us at programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make it work.


    Who Should Come

    • Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent workers, jobseekers and community members

    • Family members and supporters

    • Employers, managers, and HR or People & Culture professionals

    • Practitioners, educators and disability employment services


    Continue the Conversation

    The conversation doesn't stop when the Zoom call ends.

    Join the AV Career Network LinkedIn group to keep reflecting, share resources, and expand on what's raised in the session.

    Questions? Contact programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make sure your voice is in the room.


    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms


    • 28 Aug 2026
    • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register


    Module 06 - Personal Value & Skills

    We are relaunching the Job Seeker Network & Roadmap

     Autism Valued has launched a new cycle of the AV Job Seeker Network with an enhanced 9-Module Job Seeker Roadmap, a practical, community-led career development program designed for Neurodivergent job seekers.

    For more details, click here


    Meeting Details

    Participants gain access to a 09 module self-paced learning series, alongside monthly Job Seeker Meetings, on the last Friday of every month. that provide space for reflection & questions, regardless of which module someone is currently engaging with.


    About This Session

    Personal Value & Skills explores how to identify and communicate your strengths, transferable skills and unique value in the workplace. Participants will use practical tools to connect their experiences, skills and career goals, while building confidence in presenting themselves to employers and making informed disclosure decisions.

    What’s Included


    All AV facilitators and volunteers are peers of their group participants and hold a valid Working with Children Check. If you know a child whom could benefit from our sessions, they must be registered by the parents membership, and/ or accompanied by an adult.

    Cost and Membership Information

    • Free for AV Members 
    • $10 for Non-Members

    Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. Please contact coordinator@autismvalued.org.au for more details.

    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Facilitator (JSN)

    Sarah Ballard
     jsmoderator@autismvalued.org.au 

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms

    Join the AV Job Seeker Network and take the first step toward meaningful employment, supported by a community that values your unique strengths and potential.

    • 24 Sep 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register



    AV Career Network Touchstone

    From Awareness to Value

    Session 6 of 9 · Thursday 24 September 2026, 6:00–7:00 PM AEST .
    Free for AV members · $10 for non-members.


    In Short

    This month's Touchstone continues the conversation from The World of Work episode "When Autism Is Valued". A community conversation about what makes autistic people feel genuinely valued in work, study, volunteering and community spaces.


    What This Session Is About

    Awareness means people know autism exists. Inclusion means people are invited in. Value means contribution is trusted, respected and allowed to shape decisions.

    This is a community listening space, not a lecture. We want to hear directly from autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent people, families, workers, jobseekers, employers and supporters. What you share may help shape future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.


    What Is a Touchstone Meeting? — and Why We Capture It

    A Touchstone meeting is a structured, regularly scheduled check-in designed to foster connection, alignment and communication — a model commonly used in relationships, education and community-building.

    At AV, our Touchstone discussions are exactly that, but with a specific purpose: this isn't a companion event to the podcast, it's where the community actually shapes what comes next. Each session exists to capture real, lived-experience discourse around that month's episode topic, so it can directly inform future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.

    That includes hearing from people who listened to the episode beforehand and want to respond directly, as well as anyone coming to the topic fresh — both are equally valuable. If something you say tonight shapes a future episode or a piece of advocacy, that's the point, not a side effect.

    We use AI-assisted capture during the facilitated conversation — not a video recording. That means the discussion itself is analysed for themes and insights, but no video or audio of you is published as footage. Jacob will always name the capture window clearly when it starts and stops, so you always know when it's active.

    How this connects forward

    As the podcast continues, these discussions align directly with each episode, forming a continuous loop: Episode → Community Reflection → Insight → Action.


    This Month's Podcast Anchor

    This Touchstone is built around the World of Work episode "When Autism Is Valued", with Leslie Clements, General Manager, and Callum Stuart, Community Engagement Lead.

    Listening before you attend makes the conversation richer, but it isn't required.

    Full episode hub: https://podcast.autismvalued.org.au

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube · Amazon Music · RSS feed

    Or search "World of Work" in your preferred podcast app.


    Your Facilitators

    • Jacob Alan Kness — Programs Manager, Autism Valued Inc. · Session host and room manager

    • Xavier Gunn Founding Data Scientist, Minikai · Session facilitator


    Before You Attend

    Please read the Participant Guide before the session. It covers the run sheet, our shared group agreements, ways to take part, and this month's discussion questions in full, so we can spend our time together in conversation rather than reading through slides.

    Download: AV Touchstone — September Participant Guide (PDF) 

    Access and Inclusion

    • Cameras and microphones are optional throughout the session.

    • The Zoom chat is always available for people who prefer to participate in writing.

    • Sessions run to a clear structure and time, and stick to it.

    • If you have any access needs we should know about before the day, contact us at programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make it work.


    Who Should Come

    • Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent workers, jobseekers and community members

    • Family members and supporters

    • Employers, managers, and HR or People & Culture professionals

    • Practitioners, educators and disability employment services


    Continue the Conversation

    The conversation doesn't stop when the Zoom call ends.

    Join the AV Career Network LinkedIn group to keep reflecting, share resources, and expand on what's raised in the session.

    Questions? Contact programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make sure your voice is in the room.


    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms


    • 25 Sep 2026
    • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register


    Module 07 - The Job Seeker Toolkit


    We are relaunching the Job Seeker Network & Roadmap

     Autism Valued has launched a new cycle of the AV Job Seeker Network with an enhanced 9-Module Job Seeker Roadmap, a practical, community-led career development program designed for Neurodivergent job seekers.

    For more details, click here

    Meeting Details

    Participants gain access to a 09 module self-paced learning series, alongside monthly Job Seeker Meetings, on the last Friday of every month. that provide space for reflection & questions, regardless of which module someone is currently engaging with.


    About This Session

    The Job Seeker Toolkit provides practical strategies and tools to help participants navigate the job search process. It covers resume writing, personal branding, ATS-friendly applications, networking, interview preparation and job search planning, helping participants present themselves confidently and manage applications effectively.

    What’s Included


    All AV facilitators and volunteers are peers of their group participants and hold a valid Working with Children Check. If you know a child whom could benefit from our sessions, they must be registered by the parents membership, and/ or accompanied by an adult.

    Cost and Membership Information

    • Free for AV Members 
    • $10 for Non-Members

    Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. Please contact coordinator@autismvalued.org.au for more details

    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Facilitator (JSN)

    Sarah Ballard
     jsmoderator@autismvalued.org.au 

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms

    Join the AV Job Seeker Network and take the first step toward meaningful employment, supported by a community that values your unique strengths and potential.

    • 29 Oct 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register



    AV Career Network Touchstone

    Emotional Intelligence at Work: What's Working, What Isn't

    Session 7 of 9 · Thursday 29 October 2026, 6:00–7:00 PM AEST .

    Free for AV members · $10 for non-members.


    In Short

    This month's Touchstone continues the conversation from The World of Work episode "Understanding Emotional Intelligence From the Inside". A community conversation about what's actually helping people communicate and feel emotionally safe at work — and what's getting in the way. Built to surface concrete examples, not just opinions.


    What This Session Is About

    Emotional intelligence gets talked about a lot at work, but rarely in specifics. Tonight we want the specifics: what's genuinely helped you communicate, and what's made it harder — so we can name both clearly enough to act on them.

    This is a community listening space, not a lecture. We want to hear directly from autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent people, families, workers, jobseekers, employers and supporters. What you share may help shape future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.


    What Is a Touchstone Meeting? — and Why We Capture It

    A Touchstone meeting is a structured, regularly scheduled check-in designed to foster connection, alignment and communication — a model commonly used in relationships, education and community-building.

    At AV, our Touchstone discussions are exactly that, but with a specific purpose: this isn't a companion event to the podcast, it's where the community actually shapes what comes next. Each session exists to capture real, lived-experience discourse around that month's episode topic, so it can directly inform future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.

    That includes hearing from people who listened to the episode beforehand and want to respond directly, as well as anyone coming to the topic fresh — both are equally valuable. If something you say tonight shapes a future episode or a piece of advocacy, that's the point, not a side effect.

    We use AI-assisted capture during the facilitated conversation — not a video recording. That means the discussion itself is analysed for themes and insights, but no video or audio of you is published as footage. Jacob will always name the capture window clearly when it starts and stops, so you always know when it's active.

    How this connects forward

    As the podcast continues, these discussions align directly with each episode, forming a continuous loop: Episode → Community Reflection → Insight → Action.


    This Month's Podcast Anchor

    This Touchstone is built around the World of Work episode "Understanding Emotional Intelligence From the Inside", with Paul Micallef, founder of Autism From The Inside. Listening before you attend makes the conversation richer, but it isn't required.

    Full episode hub: https://podcast.autismvalued.org.au

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube · Amazon Music · RSS feed

    Or search "World of Work" in your preferred podcast app.


    Your Facilitators

    • Jacob Alan Kness — Programs Manager, Autism Valued Inc. · Session host and room manager

    • Xavier Gunn Founding Data Scientist, Minikai · Session facilitator


    Before You Attend

    Please read the Participant Guide before the session. It covers the run sheet, our shared group agreements, ways to take part, and this month's discussion questions in full, so we can spend our time together in conversation rather than reading through slides.

    Download: AV Touchstone — October Participant Guide (PDF) 


    Access and Inclusion

    • Cameras and microphones are optional throughout the session.

    • The Zoom chat is always available for people who prefer to participate in writing.

    • Sessions run to a clear structure and time, and stick to it.

    • If you have any access needs we should know about before the day, contact us at programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make it work.


    Who Should Come

    • Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent workers, jobseekers and community members

    • Family members and supporters

    • Employers, managers, and HR or People & Culture professionals

    • Practitioners, educators and disability employment services


    Continue the Conversation

    The conversation doesn't stop when the Zoom call ends.

    Join the AV Career Network LinkedIn group to keep reflecting, share resources, and expand on what's raised in the session.

    Questions? Contact programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make sure your voice is in the room.



    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms


    • 30 Oct 2026
    • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register


    Module 08 - Interviews & Communication


    We are relaunching the Job Seeker Network & Roadmap

     Autism Valued has launched a new cycle of the AV Job Seeker Network with an enhanced 9-Module Job Seeker Roadmap, a practical, community-led career development program designed for Neurodivergent job seekers.

    For more details, click here

    Meeting Details

    Participants gain access to a 09 module self-paced learning series, alongside monthly Job Seeker Meetings, on the last Friday of every month. that provide space for reflection & questions, regardless of which module someone is currently engaging with.



    About This Session

    Interviews & Communication helps participants build confidence in interviews by developing authentic communication skills, preparing for common interview formats and understanding what employers are looking for. The session also covers requesting workplace adjustments, managing interview nerves and evaluating whether a role and organisation are the right fit.


    What’s Included


    All AV facilitators and volunteers are peers of their group participants and hold a valid Working with Children Check. If you know a child whom could benefit from our sessions, they must be registered by the parents membership, and/ or accompanied by an adult.

    Cost and Membership Information

    • Free for AV Members 
    • $10 for Non-Members

    Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. Please contact coordinator@autismvalued.org.au for more details.


    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Facilitator (JSN)

    Sarah Ballard
     jsmoderator@autismvalued.org.au 

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms

    Join the AV Job Seeker Network and take the first step toward meaningful employment, supported by a community that values your unique strengths and potential.

    • 26 Nov 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register



    AV Career Network Touchstone

    Job Hunting: What's Working, What Isn't

    Session 8 of 9 · Thursday 26 November 2026, 6:00–7:00 PM AEST .
    Free for AV members · $10 for non-members.



    In Short

    This month's Touchstone continues the conversation from The World of Work episode "Insights from an Interviewer". A community conversation about what's actually helping — and what's getting in the way — during the job search process for autistic and ADHD jobseekers. Built to surface concrete examples, not just frustration.


    What This Session Is About

    Job hunting gets talked about mostly in terms of what's broken. Tonight we also want to hear what's actually worked — a process, a moment, a piece of advice — alongside what made things harder, so we can point to both clearly.

    This is a community listening space, not a lecture. We want to hear directly from autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent people, families, workers, jobseekers, employers and supporters. What you share may help shape future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.


    What Is a Touchstone Meeting? — and Why We Capture It

    A Touchstone meeting is a structured, regularly scheduled check-in designed to foster connection, alignment and communication — a model commonly used in relationships, education and community-building.

    At AV, our Touchstone discussions are exactly that, but with a specific purpose: this isn't a companion event to the podcast, it's where the community actually shapes what comes next. Each session exists to capture real, lived-experience discourse around that month's episode topic, so it can directly inform future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.

    That includes hearing from people who listened to the episode beforehand and want to respond directly, as well as anyone coming to the topic fresh — both are equally valuable. If something you say tonight shapes a future episode or a piece of advocacy, that's the point, not a side effect.

    We use AI-assisted capture during the facilitated conversation — not a video recording. That means the discussion itself is analysed for themes and insights, but no video or audio of you is published as footage. Jacob will always name the capture window clearly when it starts and stops, so you always know when it's active.

    How this connects forward

    As the podcast continues, these discussions align directly with each episode, forming a continuous loop: Episode → Community Reflection → Insight → Action.


    This Month's Podcast Anchor

    This Touchstone is built around the World of Work episode "Insights from an Interviewer", with Kristy Abbott, Talent Attraction Leader — Employer Brand, Inclusive Hiring, Recruitment Systems & AI, Talent Marketing and Transformation.

    Listening before you attend makes the conversation richer, but it isn't required.

    Full episode hub: https://podcast.autismvalued.org.au

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube · Amazon Music · RSS feed

    Or search "World of Work" in your preferred podcast app.


    Your Facilitators

    • Jacob Alan Kness — Programs Manager, Autism Valued Inc. · Session host and room manager

    • Xavier Gunn — AI Enablement Lead, Minikai · Session facilitator


    Before You Attend

    Please read the Participant Guide before the session. It covers the run sheet, our shared group agreements, ways to take part, and this month's discussion questions in full, so we can spend our time together in conversation rather than reading through slides.

    Download: AV Touchstone — November Participant Guide (PDF) 

    Access and Inclusion

    • Cameras and microphones are optional throughout the session.

    • The Zoom chat is always available for people who prefer to participate in writing.

    • Sessions run to a clear structure and time, and stick to it.

    • If you have any access needs we should know about before the day, contact us at programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make it work.


    Who Should Come

    • Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent workers, jobseekers and community members

    • Family members and supporters

    • Employers, managers, and HR or People & Culture professionals

    • Practitioners, educators and disability employment services


    Continue the Conversation

    The conversation doesn't stop when the Zoom call ends.

    Join the AV Career Network LinkedIn group to keep reflecting, share resources, and expand on what's raised in the session.

    Questions? Contact programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make sure your voice is in the room.




    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms


    • 27 Nov 2026
    • 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register


    Module 09 - Building Momentum


    We are relaunching the Job Seeker Network & Roadmap

     Autism Valued has launched a new cycle of the AV Job Seeker Network with an enhanced 9-Module Job Seeker Roadmap, a practical, community-led career development program designed for Neurodivergent job seekers.

    For more details, click here

    Meeting Details

    Participants gain access to a 09 module self-paced learning series, alongside monthly Job Seeker Meetings, on the last Friday of every month. that provide space for reflection & questions, regardless of which module someone is currently engaging with.



    About This Session

    Building Momentum focuses on sustaining career growth beyond securing a job. Participants will learn practical strategies for setting goals, building positive work habits, navigating workplace challenges, growing professional networks and creating a long-term plan for career development and success.

    What’s Included


    All AV facilitators and volunteers are peers of their group participants and hold a valid Working with Children Check. If you know a child whom could benefit from our sessions, they must be registered by the parents membership, and/ or accompanied by an adult.

    Cost and Membership Information

    • Free for AV Members 
    • $10 for Non-Members

    Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. Please contact coordinator@autismvalued.org.au for more details.

    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Facilitator (JSN)

    Sarah Ballard
     jsmoderator@autismvalued.org.au 

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms

    Join the AV Job Seeker Network and take the first step toward meaningful employment, supported by a community that values your unique strengths and potential.

    • 17 Dec 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Online via Zoom
    Register



    AV Career Network Touchstone

    What Would Work Look Like If It Actually Worked?

    Session 9 of 9 · Thursday 17 December 2026, 6:00–7:00 PM AEST .

    Free for AV members · $10 for non-members.



    In Short

    This month's Touchstone continues the conversation from The World of Work episode "If We Rebuilt Work From Scratch". A forward-looking community conversation about what work could look like if designed from first principles around contribution, accessibility, sustainability and support.


    What This Session Is About

    This is not only about fixing bugs in the current system. It is about imagining what we would build if we designed better work alongside the old model.

    This is a community listening space, not a lecture. We want to hear directly from autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent people, families, workers, jobseekers, employers and supporters. What you share may help shape future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.


    What Is a Touchstone Meeting? — and Why We Capture It

    A Touchstone meeting is a structured, regularly scheduled check-in designed to foster connection, alignment and communication — a model commonly used in relationships, education and community-building.

    At AV, our Touchstone discussions are exactly that, but with a specific purpose: this isn't a companion event to the podcast, it's where the community actually shapes what comes next. Each session exists to capture real, lived-experience discourse around that month's episode topic, so it can directly inform future episodes, workshops, employer education and advocacy work.

    That includes hearing from people who listened to the episode beforehand and want to respond directly, as well as anyone coming to the topic fresh — both are equally valuable. If something you say tonight shapes a future episode or a piece of advocacy, that's the point, not a side effect.

    We use AI-assisted capture during the facilitated conversation — not a video recording. That means the discussion itself is analysed for themes and insights, but no video or audio of you is published as footage. Jacob will always name the capture window clearly when it starts and stops, so you always know when it's active.

    How this connects forward

    As the podcast continues, these discussions align directly with each episode, forming a continuous loop: Episode → Community Reflection → Insight → Action.


    This Month's Podcast Anchor

    This Touchstone is built around the World of Work episode "If We Rebuilt Work From Scratch", with Dr Peter Smith - Director, Centre for Disability Employment Research and Practice.

    Listening before you attend makes the conversation richer, but it isn't required.

    Full episode hub: https://podcast.autismvalued.org.au

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube · Amazon Music · RSS feed

    Or search "World of Work" in your preferred podcast app.


    Your Facilitators

    • Jacob Alan Kness — Programs Manager, Autism Valued Inc. · Session host and room manager

    • Xavier Gunn — Founding Data Scientist, Minikai · Session facilitator


    Before You Attend

    Please read the Participant Guide before the session. It covers the run sheet, our shared group agreements, ways to take part, and this month's discussion questions in full, so we can spend our time together in conversation rather than reading through slides.

    Download: AV Touchstone — December Participant Guide (PDF)

    Access and Inclusion

    • Cameras and microphones are optional throughout the session.

    • The Zoom chat is always available for people who prefer to participate in writing.

    • Sessions run to a clear structure and time, and stick to it.

    • If you have any access needs we should know about before the day, contact us at programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make it work.


    Who Should Come

    • Autistic, ADHD and neurodivergent workers, jobseekers and community members

    • Family members and supporters

    • Employers, managers, and HR or People & Culture professionals

    • Practitioners, educators and disability employment services


    Continue the Conversation

    The conversation doesn't stop when the Zoom call ends.

    Join the AV Career Network LinkedIn group to keep reflecting, share resources, and expand on what's raised in the session.

    Questions? Contact programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make sure your voice is in the room.





    AV Membership Benefits

    • Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
    • Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
    • Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.

    If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support. 

    Registration Guidelines

    • Registration is required for all AV activities.
    • For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.

    Community Guides

    We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:

    These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.

    For Assistance or More Information

    Get in Touch

    Programs / Network Manager

    Jacob Alan Kness
    programs@autismvalued.org.au 
    0427 553 077

    General Admin

    Admin@autismvalued.org.au   |  0480 385 710

    Office Hours

    Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

    After-Hours Support

    Phone support available 1 hour before and during
    the first hour of each event

    Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours

    Policies and Terms



ABN 47 066 180 983

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