For Josh Mirsky, a long-time employee with Asperger's, his work experience inspired him to design a flag that celebrates neurodiversity.As we near the end of Autism acceptance month, one Long Island company makes it their mission to celebrate Autism acceptance all year round.And he's hoping it becomes an official symbol of acceptance across New York State.
"We're tired of being like 2nd and 3rd class citizens," Josh said. "No, that's garbage. We are 1st place. And the diamond is value because we demand to be valued."Community leaders joined the Spectrum workforce Thursday afternoon to help Josh raise his flag for the first time.Spectrum's founders realized years ago that business success is measured by clients in many ways.
"Their social impact, the environment and the community," Spectrum Designs CEO and Co-Founder Patrick Bardsley said. "So we offer them a chance to kind of check two boxes."Last year, Spectrum did $5 million in sales and they're putting out tens of thousands of these items every week."Their employees are the exceptions in a population with an unemployment rate as high as 85% but Josh has high hopes for his flag.
"Well every single movement throughout history has a flag, right?" Josh said. "Pride flag for example.You had the flag and progress comes after."