In this session we will discuss the concept of neurodiversity, particularly as it relates to identifying how social and cultural structures affect the lives of people whose brains are different from the constructed "norm".
Participants will have an opportunity to look at the difference between neurodiversity as an identity and the way in which neurodiverse people may experience disability because most structures-- including work and school-- are not built to support diversity in how people think, problem solve, and respond to their environment.
This session will cover common neurodiverse identities including autism spectrum disorder, ADD/ADHD, processing disorders, and more. Participants will learn how to affirm and support neurodiverse people, and how to distinguish situations where affirmation and creative thinking are enabling, and situations where structural and social accommodations can be made to help neurodiverse people thrive in work and school. Participants will also be given a chance to work through scenarios where common behaviors of neurodiverse people are presented, and constructive responses are workshopped.
Cei Lambert is a passionate consultant and guide for his company Diversity Consulting, Inc, through which he seeks to educate organizations and individuals about all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion for their business.
Cei worked at Fenway Health for over five years, initially as the Transgender Health Program Manager and later as the Program Manager for the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center. Cei also worked as the Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Berklee College of Music. He has worked in strategic planning for Colorado State University, with a focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion and inclusion for students with disabilities, and assisted the NCAA and International Olympic Committee in prioritizing gender diversity in the context of athletics. In addition to his years of work as an advocate for equity, Cei works as a tattoo artist, a fine artist, a designer, and a teacher of both art and cultural diversity subjects.
Cei attended Colorado State University as an undergraduate and studied wildlife biology, fine art with a focus in drawing and textiles, and art history. He received a Master of Fine Art from CSU in illustration and textiles, and then attended the Harvard Extension School for their design thinking workshop, which he applied to his work in diversity and inclusion. All of Cei’s work focuses on a bedrock philosophy of belonging that applies to everyone and allows community members to work and learn as their authentic selves.