Latest news with #autismAwareness
CBS News
24-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Stanley Cup surprise visit delights children at Boca Raton autism center
The Stanley Cup made an unannounced appearance Tuesday morning at the ABA Centers of Florida's autism care clinic in Boca Raton, drawing smiles and cheers from children and families. Escorted by Florida Panthers mascots Stanley C. Panther and Viktor E. Rat, the iconic trophy arrived to a crowd of young onlookers, many experiencing professional sports for the first time. The visit was part of a larger celebration blending sports, art and community for a cause. Children on the spectrum add their mark The event also served as the unveiling of the center's "Panthers on the Prowl" statues: Three large panther sculptures initially conceptualized by emerging artist Madison Barnett and finished by children receiving therapy at the clinic. The collaborative artworks were designed in support of the American Cancer Society and funded in part by Florida Panthers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Zito and his wife, Julie. Kids on the spectrum were invited to add their own colorful touches to the statues as the Panthers mascots looked on. A message of inclusion and empowerment The goal, according to organizers, was to bring art and sport into a therapeutic space while celebrating neurodiversity and raising cancer awareness. The initiative aimed to inspire creativity and compassion, while reinforcing the clinic's commitment to inclusion and community support. For the children in attendance, it was an unforgettable chance to interact with NHL mascots, express themselves through art and come face-to-face with the Stanley Cup.
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Telegraph
Calling a colleague ‘weirdo' could be discrimination
Calling a colleague a 'weirdo' could be discrimination, a tribunal has ruled. Using the term, even if you are trying to put someone at ease, may 'violate their dignity' and breach equality laws, a judge has said. The ruling came in the case of Nicholas James, an autistic children's centre worker, who complained that he could not work with background music. Malcolm King, Mr James's boss, asked him: 'Why can't you be ordinary and perfect like the rest of us?' before referring to him as a 'weirdo', the tribunal heard. Mr King described Mr James's requested work adjustments as 'a pain in the arse', and likened the effect of Mr James's autism disorder on his work to having a hangover after a 'good booze-up'. The worker has now won more than £17,000 in compensation for disability discrimination and harassment. Comments 'violated his dignity' Employment Judge Stephen Jenkins said: 'We considered that the references to accommodating [Mr James's] requests as being a 'pain in the arse', to questioning why [Mr James] could not be 'ordinary like the rest of us', and to [Mr James] being a 'weirdo'...would clearly have been unwanted to [Mr James]. '[Mr James] himself clearly perceived the comments as violating his dignity, and we considered that, objectively, it was reasonable to conclude that the words had the effect of violating [Mr James]'s dignity. 'They were comments from [...] the most senior person within the executive structure of the organisation, and were comments which Mr King himself has, on reflection, agreed were inappropriate. 'In the circumstances, we were satisfied that the comments did involve unwanted conduct which had the effect of violating [Mr James's] dignity.' Requested no background music The hearing in Cardiff was told that Mr James had been working for The Venture, which provides community-based services for young people, in Wrexham since 2021. He was employed as a project worker on its inclusion project which provided play work for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, primarily autism. He later began working at events at which music was played on the radio, referred to as 'open access sessions' because they were open to the public. However, the tribunal heard he could not work with music playing in the background because this impacted his ability 'to concentrate on other matters'. It was not played while he worked at these sessions, but it continued to be played at public events that Venture held a few times a year. Mr King told him that to stop music being played at these events would be 'quite wrong' as the events needed to be 'enjoyable' for guests. Mr James reportedly felt 'continually disregarded because of his condition', 'accused of wanting to spoil children's fun' and 'not able to do his job'. Compensation for discrimination In November, another meeting took place between Mr James and several more senior employees at the company. The tribunal heard: 'After some opening comments which were complimentary about [Mr James's] qualities as a play worker, Mr King noted that for him, at the heart of it, they needed [Mr James's] gifts and they needed to find ways of making that work, 'even though it's a pain in the arse'. 'He followed that with what [Mr James] described as an ill-timed joke, saying, 'why can't you be ordinary and perfect like the rest of us? But no, jokes aside, having always been something of a weirdo myself, I have some sympathy'.' Mr James was subsequently removed from his role at the open access sessions and was later suspended from his role at the organisation because of concerns regarding his work and an alleged failure to report an incident. He then sued for discrimination. His employers have been ordered to pay him £17,154.86 in total, including £15,000 for injury to feelings. His other claims failed.
