NEW BRITAIN, Conn.,
July 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At the
ABB FIA Formula E Championship Season 5 Finale on July 13-14, 2019, Stanley Black & Decker
(NYSE: SWK) and the Envision Virgin Racing Team will create a
unique, quiet racing experience for children with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD). The event aims to advance inclusion and
help foster understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity — the
recognition of neurological differences impacting social
interaction, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions.
The race will take place at the Brooklyn Circuit in
New York City.
Autism affects an estimated 1 in 59 children in the United States and 70 million people
worldwide. Each person with autism has different strengths and
challenges. For some people on the spectrum, sensory sensitivities
can make motorsports particularly difficult to enjoy. With Formula
E's distinctively low level of noise compared to other track
sports, Stanley Black & Decker, the Envision Virgin Racing Team
and Autism Speaks aim to create a more inclusive race day.
This weekend, Stanley Black & Decker and their global
partner, Envision Virgin Racing, will host a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for children invited by Autism Speaks, which promotes
solutions for the needs of people with autism and their families,
and the Franklin Academy, a Connecticut
preparatory school providing specialized education to adolescents
with nonverbal learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder.
The children and their families will get a behind-the-scenes garage
tour and special race-day experience tailored to their needs,
with particular attention to accommodating sensory sensitivities.
These guests will also learn about STEAM-based education and
careers that exist in the world of motorsport. STEAM encompasses
science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
"Formula E is a unique form of motorsport and our electric
engines showcase the best automotive technology," said Envision
Virgin Racing Driver Sam Bird. "I'm proud that this sport allows us
to welcome new fans who may not be able to enjoy other types of
motorsport due to sensory sensitivities. I'm excited to help host
these families this weekend to show how our series is
unique and hopefully introduce these kids to a world of STEAM
careers within the sport."
The children will also be joined by Chasing Classic Cars legend
Wayne Carini, whose personal
connection to autism helped inspire this initiative. Following the
race, driver Sam Bird will be
auctioning off his race suit, with all proceeds benefiting Autism
Speaks.
Empowering People of All Abilities
Beyond race weekend, Stanley Black & Decker and Autism
Speaks are partnering to create a program that will prepare people
with ASD to pursue skilled-labor jobs in the manufacturing
field.
Studies show that the vast majority of adults (18+) with ASD are
unemployed or underemployed. As part of the company's comprehensive
social responsibility strategy, Stanley Black & Decker has a
mission to empower 10 million makers and creators of all
abilities by 2030. This includes preparing the workforce of
tomorrow with vocational training, STEAM education and access to
makerspaces.
"Stanley Black & Decker strives to build and nurture a
vibrant culture in which inclusiveness is a reflex, not an
initiative," said Stanley Black & Decker President & CEO
Jim Loree. "We are committed to
hiring and maintaining a diverse workforce that is inclusive of
employees with a range of backgrounds, abilities and needs. This
also includes a commitment to raising awareness and appreciation
for neurodiversity."
The Stanley Black & Decker and Autism Speaks program
will aim to empower makers through a grant program developed to
suit the learning needs of individuals with ASD. The program will
also coach faculty members on how to accommodate learners with ASD,
work with participants to increase self-advocacy and independence
as well as interpersonal skills and help them develop a peer
network.
"Over the next five years, we will work together to create a
community college curriculum focused on manufacturing skills," said
Angela Geiger, president and CEO at
Autism Speaks. "We applaud Stanley Black & Decker for its focus
on inclusion and our shared commitment to preparing people on the
spectrum for meaningful careers and greater independence."
The program will focus on communities where Stanley Black &
Decker has a manufacturing presence and help create a pool of
talent for the company in these areas.
An ASMR Experience
Prior to race weekend, Stanley Black & Decker released an
ASMR — Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response — video. ASMR videos
can help to soothe some people who are highly sensitive to sights
and sounds, providing a calming, immersive and relaxing
experience.
The video features racing footage and Envision Virgin Racing
professionals expertly using Stanley Black & Decker tools to
fine-tune a vehicle. Showcasing the tools through a sensory
experience enables a new audience to appreciate their use. Viewers
can visit this link to see and hear behind-the-scenes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwyLqn5aXEE&feature=youtu.be
More information on Stanley Black & Decker's diversity and
inclusion efforts can be found at:
https://www.stanleyblackanddecker.com/careers/our-inclusive-workforce.
About Stanley Black & Decker:
Stanley Black & Decker is a purpose-driven, $14 billion revenue industrial
organization. Stanley Black & Decker has 61,000 employees
in more than 60 countries and operates the world's largest tools
and storage business, the world's second-largest commercial
electronic security services company, a leading engineered
fastening business as well as Oil & Gas and Infrastructure
businesses. The company's iconic brands include Black & Decker,
Bostitch, CRAFTSMAN, DEWALT, FACOM, Irwin, Lenox, Porter Cable and Stanley. Stanley Black &
Decker is a company for the makers and innovators, the craftsmen
and the caregivers, and those doing the hard work to make the world
a better place. Learn more at www.stanleyblackanddecker.com.
About Envision Virgin Racing:
The Envision Virgin Racing Formula E Team is one of the founding
and leading outfits in the ABB FIA Formula E Championship – the
electric street racing series and the world's first fully-electric
international single-seater category.
Launching in 2014, the team was part of the series' inaugural
race held in Beijing and has gone
on to compete in all 55 races to date. During that time, the outfit
has scored more than 750 points – including nine race wins and 2
podiums – making it the third highest points scorer of all time,
and one of only two teams to have recorded victories in every
season of Formula E. Now with new majority owner Envision Group on
board, together with the continued support of Virgin founder Sir
Richard Branson and the Virgin
Group, the team's commercial headquarters are based in London, whilst its operational arm is centered
at new state-of-the-art facilities at Silverstone Park.
Envision's mission is to 'Solve the Challenges for a Sustainable
Future' and the team provides a global platform for this message,
and the technology, to be shared. Overseeing the team's operations
is Managing Director Sylvain
Filippi, who has been with the team since day one. Its
driver line-up for season five features British racer Sam Bird and Dutchman Robin Frijns. Now, after
four successful seasons, the team embarks upon the 'watershed'
fifth season of Formula E which will see an all-new car introduced,
together with brand new race tracks.
For further information visit www.envisionvirginracing.com
About Autism:
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of
conditions characterized by challenges with social skills,
repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication.
We now know that there is not one autism but many
subtypes, and each person with autism can have unique strengths and
challenges. A combination of genetic and environmental factors
influence the development of autism, and autism often is
accompanied by medical issues such as GI disorders, seizures and
sleep disturbances. Autism affects an estimated 1 in 59
children.
About Autism Speaks:
Autism Speaks is dedicated to promoting solutions, across the
spectrum and throughout the life span, for the needs of individuals
with autism and their families. We do this through advocacy and
support; increasing understanding and acceptance of people with
autism spectrum disorder; and advancing research into causes and
better interventions for autism spectrum disorder and related
conditions. To find resources, join a fundraising walk or make a
donation, go to www.AutismSpeaks.org.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stanley-black--decker-supports-neurodiversity-with-quiet-race-in-partnership-with-envision-virgin-racing-formula-e-team-300881682.html
SOURCE Stanley Black & Decker