Harvey Award Goes To Autism Employer Support, Mobile App For Well-Water Testing

Funding the two projects with $75,000 each, the award recognizes exemplary faculty who reflect the University’s commitment to innovative engagement and outreach that addresses real-world challenges. 

Projects aimed at helping employers support workers with autism and improving North Carolina residents’ ability to test private well water have received the annual C. Felix Harvey Award to Advance Institutional Priorities at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Dr. Laura Kliger, executive director of the UNC TEACCH Autism Program and an associate professor in the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, will lead a team developing a “neurodiversity toolkit” to help companies address challenges faced by employees with autism, such as social expectations and time management in the workplace.

The well-water testing project will feature a mobile application that private well owners in North Carolina can use to rapidly assess and interpret results derived from existing low-cost tests for lead and E. coli contamination. Users can also allow the app to share results with county and state health officials to help them implement measures to protect well-water quality, storm resilience and public health. 

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