Speaking Event with Northeast Ohio Municipal Clerks

Change starts at the top.

On February 29, 2024, the Humanities 101 Foundation took its research to regional community leadership.

The Northeast Ohio Municipal Clerks Association listened to an in-depth neurodivergent experience from founder and Executive Director, Dr. Adam “Doc” Hazlett.

"That was really cool to speak to front-line municipal workers, because those are the people that are the first interaction with the state that neurodivergent and disabled people have," Doc says.

Doc calls the speaking event "an insightful conversation about masking, autism, and improving communication with neurodivergent constituents."

Doc knows the struggle of a later-in-life autism diagnosis - receiving his diagnosis at 41 years old. He says, "Living as a neurodivergent person in a neurotypical world, and presenting that way, was literally killing me."

While presenting research highlighting concerns for the autistic community, Doc notes that attendees tend to "realize that their experience is not typical."

He adds, "It was good to watch people's lights come on."

"This is why I'm doing what I'm doing."

Inclusive programming addressing the needs of the neurodivergent community will reach a portion of the population that hasn't even realized they are missing key changes for greater accessibility.

At this event, Doc had an audience member share that she texted her daughter during the presentation, saying, "Not everyone here's for fluorescent lights."

Doc adds, "She realized all these sensory things, that most people in everyday life don't pay attention to."

Humanities 101's outreach strives to welcome neurodivergent individuals seeking validation and recognition that they are not alone and that their needs for micro-accommodations are not unreasonable.

To address injustice in the adult neurodivergent community, Doc points to the lack of autism services beyond K 12.

"As for autistic teenagers and adults, they're like, yeah, we're not worried about you; we're not interested in you coming to the pizza party anymore."

Hazlett notes the lack of funding for autistic adults.

Research shows an overwhelming conclusion that the quality of life is significantly diminished for autistic adults. Providing accommodations and services to autistic children and then removing that attention in their adult years has consequences.

Only 18% of autistic adults would rate their quality of life good, with about half indicating that it was poor.*

Inspiring the Humanities 101 nonprofit's mission of inclusive outreach for autism, Doc and other founders aim to help schools, businesses, and communities offer better inclusion for all neurotypes.

In addition to the warm welcome from the Northeast Ohio Municipal Clerks Association, Doc found that the local hotel offered a more inclusive stay for its neurodivergent guests by providing earplugs at the front desk.

Sign Reads: Please be aware that there are TRAIN TRACKS next to the Hotel that we do not control. Most guests do not notice, but if noise is an issue, we do offer complimentary ear plugs. 

The hotel was located near train tracks and as a micro-accommodation to anyone disturbed by the noise offered complementary ear plugs.

This experience inspired the Humanities 101 Foundation to include complimentary reusable earplugs at its future speaking and outreach events.

Like the presentation attendees, Hazlett felt seen and his auditory sensitivities were validated.

*Adults with Autism: Changes in Understanding Since DSM-111