• The grant had to be written in my spare time due to competing organizational priorities.
• Unlike prior winners, my project focused on neurodiversity rather than traditional racial or gender divides, which required educating leadership on its value.
• T&C had no prior experience with the DEI Innovation Fund or ChangeX.org’s third-party guidelines, leaving me without internal SMEs for guidance.
• My skip-level manager was unfamiliar with the program’s significance, though my direct managers were supportive.

APPROACH

To overcome these challenges, I:

• Secured alignment and consent from my managers, the non-profit, and AWS stakeholders on project goals and outcomes.
• Educated myself on AWS and ChangeX procedures to ensure compliance.
• Crafted a compelling grant proposal that highlighted the potential impact of the project on both the non-profit and AWS’s DEI objectives.
• Focused on creating a scalable, high-impact solution that showcased the capabilities of autistic adults while aligning with AWS’s innovation goals.

EXECUTION

1. Authored and submitted my first-ever grant proposal, collaborating with nonPareil leaders, AWS Innovation Fund staff, and ChangeX administrators.
2. Designed and led the development of a 3D gamified learning experience, teaching 5th-grade math through an immersive “escape the spacecraft” game using Google 3D headsets.
3. Conducted weekly meetings, filed monthly progress reports, and adhered to ChangeX’s program guidelines, which differed from AWS standards.
4. Produced video content documenting the project’s progress, shared on ChangeX and later featured in T&C’s All Hands presentation.
5. Delivered the project between July and September 2023, following the grant award in May.

RESULTS

Benefits included the non-profit, AWS DEI groups being introduced to this organization of budding engineers, a state university also working with autistic adults for pre-employment education programs, and me personally.

• Non-Profit Impact: nonPareil received funding for an extended pilot program and new computer graphics workstations, enabling autistic adults to demonstrate their skills in creating 3D interactive training content.
• Participant Benefits: Students gained access to AWS personnel and SMEs, boosting their confidence and employability through real-world Agile project experience.
• AWS Recognition: Featured in T&C’s All Hands presentation, viewed by 2,000 attendees, and commended by AWS Innovation Fund organizers for autonomy and thoroughness.
• Personal Growth: Invited to join the Amazon People with Disabilities board as an advocate and SME on neurodiversity in the workplace.
• Community Engagement: Hosted a wrap party at nonPareil’s Plano, TX office, where Amazonians with Disabilities celebrated the participants’ achievements and conducted a Q&A session.

LESSONS and TAKEAWAYS

• People on both sides were excited to collaborate on this worthy project. Organizing and continuing ongoing relationships will be needed to sustain and extend benefits of this program.
• Collaboration Drives Success: The enthusiasm from all parties underscored the importance of fostering ongoing relationships to sustain and expand the program’s benefits.
• Agile Experience Boosts Employability: Participants thrived in a structured, deadline-driven environment, demonstrating their readiness for professional roles.
• Addressing Systemic Barriers: The high unemployment rate among autistic adults stems largely from weak social skills, not technical abilities. Companies must partner with organizations like nonPareil to educate hiring teams on neurodiversity and create inclusive hiring practices.
• Sustained Advocacy is Key: Despite nonPareil’s decade-long efforts, many graduates struggle to secure and retain employment due to communication challenges. Bridging this gap requires ongoing collaboration between training organizations and corporate DEI initiatives.

This project not only showcased the immense potential of neurodiverse talent but also reinforced the critical role of inclusive hiring practices in creating equitable opportunities. It was a privilege to lead this initiative and contribute to a meaningful cause.