1. Listen carefully. This is probably the number one,­ which is why I’ve put it as number one! Really listen. Read that email three times and be sure you’ve understood it. If you don’t understand it, ask the customer to explain it again. Feed back to them on the phone “So what you are saying is, that pink elephant sprouted wings, but it was completely unable to jump over that tall building?” Use the same words and phrases the customer used, to ensure clear communication. Make sure you answer every point raised, even if the answer is “I don’t know” or “I can’t answer that”.

Yesterday, I had the great pleasure of attending The UN 2015 World Awareness Autism Day Event “Employment: The Autism Advantage.” Todd Fabacher and I attended in response to the UN’s Call to Action for companies to offer vocational training and employment for individuals on the autism spectrum.

While I sat in the General Assembly listening to speeches by Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Keynote Jack Markell, Governor of Delaware, and other representatives from the U.S. Counsel for International Business, Autism Europe, Hewlett-Packard, and young adults with autism, I was moved.

Throughout the day, I heard so many speak about the need for persons with special needs to be treated equally and that diversity should be viewed as a competitive advantage in our innovative economy.

On April 2, LiveCode and its partners launched its initiative to teach and mentor 3,000 individuals with autism to code apps and become professional software developers. As I listened and read through all the enthusiastic tweets, retweets and news coverage of LiveCode’s campaign, I knew we had made a difference.

Our friend, Todd Fabacher, has a son on the autism spectrum. As his son grows closer to adulthood, Todd asked himself what he wants most for his son. The answer? Opportunity.

Todd approached the National Autism Society, Autism Initiatives, and Specialisterne along with LiveCode to create a partnership in which 3,000 young adults on the autism spectrum can learn to code. LiveCode will provide the learning materials. the National Autism Society and other partners will provide the training support.

It’s an honor and a privilege to collaborate with Todd and the leading organizations that work with those on the autism spectrum. You can find out more about the partnership in the video below and share the movement here.