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RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR COUNTY MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING NEURODIVERGENT INDIVIDUALS, WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY AND WITH VENDORS WHO DO BUSINESS WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY; AND REQUIRING A REPORT

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WHEREAS, neurodiversity refers to variations in the human brain regarding sociality; and
WHEREAS, the term �neurodiversity� was coined in 1998 by sociologist Judy Singer, who helped popularize the concept along with journalist Harvey Blume; and
WHEREAS, it emerged as a challenge to prevailing views that certain neurodevelopmental disorders are inherently pathological and instead, adopts the social model of disability, in which societal barriers are the main contributing factor that disables people; and
WHEREAS, in 2020, the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the prevalence rate for autism spectrum disorder (�ASD�) is currently 1:54 for 8-year-old children; and
WHEREAS, according to the advocacy organization, Autism Speaks, more than 500,000 young adults with autism will age out of guaranteed services in the next decade; and
WHEREAS, there are 7,500 individuals with autism registered with the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (�CARD�), and CARD estimates that there may be as many as 50,000 individuals with ASD in Miami-Dade County; and
WHEREAS, according to the organization Autism Speaks, studies estimate that 50 to 75 percent of the roughly 5.6 million autistic adults in the U.S. are underemployed or unemployed; and
WHEREAS, Autism Speaks also estimates that nearly half of 25-year-olds with autism have never held a paying job; and
WHEREAS, many private sector businesses such as Microsoft, Ford, and JP Morgan Chase have established neurodiversity employment programs; and
WHEREAS, while programs vary in size and scope most include a recruitment process targeting workers with autism or other neurodiverse conditions, a distinct hiring process, often done in collaboration with agencies specializing in neurodiverse employment, and supportive services and job coaching; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County has over 25,000 employees; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County also contracts with hundreds of vendors who employ thousands of people throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, including the neurodivergent population in employment can often benefit the workplace environment by providing a diversity of input and perspective; and
WHEREAS, this Boards desires to have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of Miami-Dade County, including neurodiversity,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to develop a plan to increase employment opportunities, training, and support for individuals with disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals, with Miami-Dade County and to encourage Miami-Dade County vendors to hire individuals with disabilities, including neurodivergent employees, utilizing scoring incentives for hiring plans and support.
Section 2. Directs the County Mayor or County Mayor�s designee to submit a written report to this Board within 60 days of the effective date of this resolution, which shall be placed directly on an agenda of the Board without committee review, pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65, regarding the directive as outlined in section 1.