Today we’d like to introduce you to Judi Uttal
Hi Judi, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a retired marketing high tech marketing executive with a BS from UCLA in math/computer science and an MBA from the Tepper School of Management at Carnegie-Mellon University. For the last ten+ years, I have been running the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG) – a 501C3 nonprofit whose mission is to help teens, adults, and their families dealing with Level 1 Autism (previously called Asperger’s and high-functioning autism) improve their quality of life. We do this through education, social activities, support, and advocating. One of the major issues for individuals on the spectrum, is employment, with over 80% of adults on the spectrum being unemployed or underemployed. OCASG has been active in a variety of employment related programming.
In 2019, my son Josh graduated from Cal State University, Fullerton with a major in television and film. Josh was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at the age of three and is interested in a career as an editor. As he started thinking about finding work, I realized that there were many individuals on the spectrum who were interested in careers in entertainment. I decided to form a workgroup whose mission was to increase employment of individuals on the spectrum in the entertainment industry. In May 2022, we founded the group. The Workgroup included job developers, Zavikon founded by Hilary Kokena and Rebecca Beam, parents, members of the entertainment community and more.
Our first goal was to host a conference. We received a grant from the Department of Developmental Services and hosted the world’s first Autism In Entertaiment Conference on April 5, 2024 at the Skirball Cultural Center.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hosting the conference was paved with many blessings. The right people showed up and we were able to create an amazing event. There were struggles though.
Industry Problems: A major issue for this project was the fact that the entertainment is undergoing a period of contraction. (GIG BASED PROBLEMS – UNIQUE AND CHALLENGING.) While planning the conference,
• From May 2 to September 27, 2023, the Writers Guild of America —representing 11,500 screenwriters—went on strike over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
• From July 14 to November 9, 2023, the American actors’ union SAG-AFTRA was on strike over a labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.
In addition, box office sales are down, post-covid. Over the last decade, the transition from linear television to on-demand streaming has resulted in an upheaval of Hollywood’s traditional business structure. Today, though Streaming demand is down, post-covid, creating financial stress.
New technology, like artificial intelligence, is impacting many production-related jobs.
Also, California is not competitive with other states and countries who are creating tax incentives. The result is that production is down in California. It should also be noted that the Entertainment Industry is a typically follows an project-based gig employment model. This gig model has not be embraced by the Department of Rehabilitation. As a result, the case-base employment model leaves the autistic talent struggling for how to work with DoR.
The diversity movement, that we were planning on leveraging as a message point, has become unpopular. The result is DEI executives are taking fewer risks.
As a result, there have been layoffs and cost cutting in every sector of entertainment including game design.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about THE ORANGE COUNTY ASPERGERS SUPPORT GROUP?
The Orange County Asperger’s Support Group is the organization behind the Autism In Entertainment Workgroup. We were founded in 2003, and I have been president since 2015.
We are known for providing creative and amazing programming. We partner with leading therapists to offer essential support for not only parents, but adults, teens, women, and partners of those in relations with people on the spectrum. These meeting provide expert advice.
Our educational program helps families plan their year and find the resources and services they need to increase financial security, independence, and mental health. One of the unique offerings of OCASG is the OCASG Toastmasters Gavel Club. for the last twelve years, OCASG members have leveraged the Toastmaster’s public speaking curriculum to improve their sense of self, speaking ability, and creation of a community.
Our social activities are also led by autism experts. In 2023, OCASG received a grant from the City of Irvine and created the OCASG Friends and Fun Program offering social discussions and monthly activities which include bowling, scavenger hunts, ghost tours, and more. OCASG offers monthly Dungeons and Dragon sessions, group gathering at a local Coffee House, and more.
OCASG also is active in the community and is currently working on a special project with the Orange County Local Partnership Agreement analyzing the problems with Social Security for individuals with developmental disabilities attempting to work.
What sets us apart is the impact that we are having on the individuals in our community. In 2024, OCASG received the Disability-Friendly Community Member Award from the Irvine Residents with Disabilities Advisory Board.
Below are just a few quotes from OCASG Members about the benefits that we are bringing to our community:
• Mary Morehouse: “I cannot overstate what OCASG and Judi Uttal has meant to our family since we were lucky enough 7 years ago to find our way to them.”
• Deanna Amann: “Anyone can join and participate. You don’t need to jump through hoops to be accepted/qualify to receive their services.”
• Rohan Diddee: “The OCASG has absolutely sprouted many new dimensions since Judi Uttal took on the commitment to [helm] the organization. It has become a stellar beacon…[for] the Neuro Divergent person and [their] connected family.”
• Martin Nguyen: “The activities are wonderful. I am glad I am hanging out with people who are autistic, just like me. They are making me comfortable. The organization is helping me to socialize and bond with my fellow autistic people.”
• Sunny Patel: “I have joined the presentation for the different options for people on the spectrum and has helped me to reach my goal.”
• Catherine Uzeta: “I was completely lost and felt so alone until I found OCASG. The organization made me realize I was not the only one struggling to find assistance and support for their child/young adult.”
• Josh Weller: “I love the O[CASG] monthly [Z]oom support meetings for adults. It is great to get to interact with other adults on the spectrum.”
• Patricia Adams: “It is encouraging to me, to see my granddaughter develop better social skills and for her to feel a sense of accomplishment and…increased possibilities in life.”
• Scott Brown: “OCASG has helped my son by providing social opportunities. It has helped me by providing information that I can use to help him.”
• Chris Clark: “OCASG has been a great help to us in finding help for our son. The support groups they run have helped us as parents and also provided valuable advice.”
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
My risk-taking focuses on attempting to implement programming that is challenging and has never been done before. For example, hosting the Autism In Entertainment Conference or running a Toastmasters Group. However, I have come up with pricing and techniques to mitigate financial risk. My goal as a nonprofit is to breakeven financially. I do this through levering grants to underwrite activities or having members contribute through reasonably priced tickets.
Pricing:
- Membership in OCASG is $20/year for a family of four
- Membership in Autism In Entertainment is $10/month.
- Autism In Entertainment has an online store.
- Activities are prices between $15-$20 per session.
- Donations are greatly appreciated.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ocaspergers.org & www.autisminentertainment.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/autisminentertainment/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AutismInEntertainment/ & https://www.facebook.com/groups/ocaspergers/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/autisminentertainment/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZZGMCyXMOJwRasdn6agakw & https://youtube.com/channel/UCQOLHmiZ5ptwKErnF_XDdNQ
