chris varney
“Employing so many Autistic people is truly the most rewarding thing I have ever done professionally.”
Chris, Founder and Chief Enabler I CAN Network
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Chris (he/him) is proudly autistic. He is the Founding Director and Chief Enabling Officer of I CAN Network. I CAN® is Australia’s largest autistic-led organisation, mentoring over 3,000 young people annually through the I CAN School® and I CAN Online programs. Chris was inspired to start I CAN from the support his family, schools and mentors gave him, which he shared in his TEDx ‘Autism – How My Unstoppable Mother Proved the Experts Wrong’. Since 2015, Chris has employed close to 200 autistic people to deliver mentoring programs at scale.
In 2017 Chris received the Supreme Court of Victoria’s Best Achievement in Human Rights Award. Chris is national patron of the Australian Association for Special Education, a non-executive director of the Australian Autism Alliance and Chairperson of the Victorian Disability Advisory Council.
Chris is passionate about disability job creation and employment. He lives with his young family in Greater Geelong.
AWARDS
- 2017 – Best Achievement Award in Human Rights, Supreme Court of Victoria Inspire Awards
- 2015 – Inspiration for Individual Achievement (Adult), Aspect Recognition Awards
- 2014 – Monash Vice-Chancellor’s Social Inclusion Award
- 2012 – National Award for Youth in Advancing the Legal Rights and Interests of Children and Young People, Children’s Law Awards
- 2012 – Future Justice Award, Future Leaders Awards
- 2011 – Student Alumni Award, Monash University
QUALIFICATIONS
- 2013 – Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (with Honours), Monash University
MEDIA SNAPSHOT
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- https://www.theage.com.au/business/workplace/the-autism-advantage-why-businesses-are-hiring-autistic-people-20220804-p5b767.html
- EducationHQ, 2018, Autistic-led student mentoring program turns five
- Pro Bono Australia, 2018, Autism Bringing a New Perspective to Business
- ABC Online and ABC Lateline, 2017, Meet the ‘Mutants’: The students who wear their autism with pride
- The New Daily, 2017, From those with Asperger’s: ‘Don Burke, we are not your shield’
- The Age, 2017, Bringing the outsiders in: autistic pride
- Sydney Morning Herald, 2016, Students with disability shouldn’t be underestimated
- ABC News and ABC Australia Wide, 2015, I CAN Network program aims to inspire Victorian students on the autism spectrum
- Sydney Morning Herald, 2015, Education system failing students with Autism
I CAN INTRODUCTION
“I built I CAN Network to be a demonstration of what Autistic people can achieve. We deliver group mentoring programs in schools and in online settings. We also share our insights in professional development workshops and consultancy projects. We are driven by a vision to create a world that benefits from embracing Autism – Together our purpose is to prove what Autistics CAN do.” – Chris Varney
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In a school professional development workshop I CAN Founder/ CEO Chris Varney explores how school staff can empower Autistic/ neurodivergent learners. The content will offer practical strategies on leveraging student interests and giving students little responsibilities to bring down anxiety levels and maximise engagement with school. Chris weaves throughout the strategies some personal stories and insights from I CAN Network’s Autistic-led mentoring programs.
