A Spectrum of Difference: Creating EPIC Software Testers - Paul Seaman & Lee Hawkins
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Lee Hawkins
Paul Seaman

Talk Description
We have been lucky enough to work with a not-for-profit organization called EPIC Recruit Assist to offer software testing training to a group of young adults on the autism spectrum, through a new initiative known as the “EPIC TestAbility Academy”.
In this talk, we will describe:
- What is the autism spectrum and why it aligns with software testing
- How this relationship came about
- Why it is important to seek opportunities that drive diversity
- Key relationships, shared goals and building the vision
- The importance of communication
- Building a balanced programme
- Preparation that was required to get the programme off the ground
- Lessons learned in finding participants
- Lessons learned delivering the training
- The outcomes for the candidates on completion of the programme.
Takeaways:
- What autism is and how those with autism can be particularly suited to IT work.
- Why you should think about reaching out and helping to grow the IT community.
- An insight into how you can go about getting a program up and running and the problems you might encounter.
By the end of this session, you'll be able to:
- TBA
I am currently a Senior Test Engineer with Travelport Locomote. I have 18 years test experience across a number of domains. I'm a passionate context driven tester who is actively involved in the testing community. I'm a reviewer for Woman Testers (well former reviewer now) and Testing Trapeze magazines. I’ve also written a number of articles for various test magazines. I was a founding partner of the Australian Testing Days 2016 conference and Assistant Program Chair for CAST x18 Melbourne. I am a co-founder of the Epic TestAbility Academy where I co-facilitate classes that teach people on the autism spectrum to test software as a means of finding employment. On most summer Saturdays you’ll find me out on a cricket field umpiring senior cricket in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association competition. I write the occasional blog at https://beaglesays.blog/ and on Twitter I use the handle @beaglesays.
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