Mark Niedermann was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at 21, and he became a constituent at UCF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) two years later, while attending Valencia College. His involvement with CARD ultimately resulted in his employment there. Mark's unique vantage point spanning from the perspective of an adult in need of services to a service provider in need of results will provide the backdrop for him to share a story about disability, discrimination, and diversity, and the responsibility we have to be more aware of these issues. Mark's story, although possibly difficult to hear, will encourage the audience to think differently about our differences, celebrating them instead of being defeated by them, and explain the real reason why the puzzle piece is the perfect representation for the Autism Awareness movement.
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