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This session opens the 2026 Touchstone series by stepping back and asking a more useful question:
What is recruitment actually measuring — and who does that leave out?
Rather than assuming one shared experience, this conversation is grounded in variation.
Different people experience hiring differently.
Different roles demand different strengths.
And what works for one person often fails another.
That’s exactly why this conversation matters.
This month's podcast anchor
This Touchstone is built around the AV World of Work episode Rethinking Recruitment. Listening before attending enriches the conversation significantly.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or search AV World of Work on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music or your preferred podcast app.
This month's guests
- Jennifer Spoor — Research Director, Vocational Engagement · OTARC · Associate Professor, La Trobe Business School
- Lyndel Kennedy — PhD candidate, OTARC · Psychology Tutor · Author · AV Young Adult Group Facilitator
Discussion focus
This session is guided by three core questions:
- What part of recruitment screened you out unfairly — or nearly did?
- Which strengths never show up on a CV but matter most on the job?
- If you could redesign one part of the hiring process — what changes first?
These questions are a starting point — not a limit.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own reflections, questions, and lived experience into the space.
There will be opportunities to:
- Share thoughts in the conversation
- Contribute questions or perspectives through the chat
- Raise ideas that may be explored live, or carried forward into future discussions and community platforms
How the session runs
- 5:45 PM — Room opens early. Settle in, cameras optional. Unrecorded.
- 6:00 – 6:10 PM — Formal welcome, Acknowledgement of Country, Group Mindsets. Unrecorded.
- 6:10 – 7:00 PM — Facilitated conversation with Xavier Gunn. AI capture begins after the formal welcome.
- 7:00 – 7:10 PM — Soft close. Open floor, one contribution each. Unrecorded.
This session uses AI-assisted capture — not a video recording. AI capture is not published as footage. Jacob Alan Kness (Programs Manager, Autism Valued) will name the capture window clearly when it starts and stops.
Your facilitators
- Xavier Gunn — AI Enablement Lead, Minikai · Session facilitator
- Jacob Alan Kness — Programs Manager, Autism Valued Inc. · Session host & room manager · programs@autismvalued.org.au
Continue the conversation
The conversation doesn't stop when the Zoom call ends. Join our AV Career Network LinkedIn group to keep reflecting, share resources, and expand on what was discussed each month.
Acknowledgement of Country
Autism Valued acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we meet — the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung People of the mighty Kulin Nation. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
Questions? Contact programs@autismvalued.org.au and we'll make sure your voice is in the room.
What Are Touchstone Discussions?
A touchstone is a measure — something used to test the strength and validity of an idea.
At AV, our Touchstone Discussions are exactly that.
They are a space where ideas around work, employment, and inclusion are explored in real time — shaped by lived experience, not assumption.
These are live, guided community conversations designed to sit alongside the AV: World of Work platform and podcast.
While the podcast is still being prepared for release, these sessions are helping shape the direction of those conversations. Moving forward, each Touchstone will reflect on a specific podcast episode and topic — creating space to unpack what was shared, challenge it, and explore how it shows up in real-world experience.
How this connects forward
As the AV: World of Work podcast launches, these discussions will directly align with each episode — forming a continuous loop between:
Episode → Community Reflection → Insight → Action
THE GROUP MINDSETS
Touchstone Meetings operate under six shared mindsets, agreed by the community. Facilitators are encouraged to name these briefly at the start of each session.
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Mindset
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Value
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What it means in practice
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Positive
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We see possibilities, strengths, and talents.
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Lead with what people can do,
not what they can't.
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Growth
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We pursue goals through learning and share that knowledge — without judgement.
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It's okay not to have answers. It's okay
to change your mind.
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Empowerment
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We listen, support, and encourage others to grow.
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Your role is to open doors,
not tell people which one to choose.
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Empathy
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We try to understand another's situation and help, if asked.
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You don't need to have lived it to
honour it.
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Trust
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We value the privacy and confidentiality of others.
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What's shared in the room
stays in the room.
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Respect
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We acknowledge the wishes and rights of others.
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Including respecting someone's need
for space or silence.
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Inclusion
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We make all peers feel welcome and understood.
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Actively, not just passively.
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CODES OF CONDUCT
These apply to all online Touchstone sessions. Facilitators name them briefly at the start, and can return to them if needed during the session.
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CODE
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DETAIL
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Brevity
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Keep answers under 2 minutes.
Succinct communication is a professional skill—
and it creates space for others.
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Attentiveness
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Wait your turn. Avoid interrupting.
When not speaking, be present for whoever is.
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Language
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Use appropriate, professional language throughout.
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Focus
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Keep discussion on topic. Refrain from oversharing.
This is a professional networking group.
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Respect
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Be inclusive and respectful to all members at all times.
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Comfort
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Turn your camera or mic on or off as feels comfortable.
Consider others' sensory needs.
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Accessibility
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The Zoom chat function is always available for those who prefer
written participation.
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The intent
Not to speak about the community
—but to think with it
And to ensure what we build reflects real experience, not assumptions.
What happens with the insights
The reflections, patterns, and themes raised in these sessions are captured and reviewed to help inform:
- Future podcast episodes and direction
- Job Seeker Network and program design
- Advocacy and sector conversations
- Practical tools and resources for the community
Cost and Membership Information
Registered job seekers may be eligible to have their AV membership reimbursed or covered by job-seeking support programs, such as those offered through Disability Employment Services (DES) or NDIS providers. To check eligibility and request support:
- Contact your job-seeking program provider or NDIS plan manager.
- Explain that AV membership provides access to employment support programs designed for neurodiverse individuals.
- Provide them with AV’s details and a description of the AV Job Seeker Network (available upon request from our admin team).
If you need further assistance, please reach out to our Facilitator directly.
AV Membership Benefits
- Access to free tickets for activities, including the AV Job Seeker Network.
- Exclusive access to members-only programs and interest groups.
- Opportunities to support the work AV does for the neurodiverse community.
If cost is a barrier; and you would like to join AV, please contact our admin team for support.
Registration Guidelines
- Registration is required for all AV activities.
- For online events, you must register to receive the Zoom meeting link.
Community Guides
We’ve created step-by-step guides to make participation easy:
These guides are designed to ensure that every participant has a smooth and enjoyable experience.
For Assistance or More Information
Get in Touch
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Office Hours
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Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm
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After-Hours Support
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Phone support available 1 hour before and during
the first hour of each event
Please note emails may not be attended to afterhours
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Policies and Terms
