In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the employment of adults with autism and other developmental disabilities.
To address the lack of neurodiverse talent hiring, member companies of the Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable are launching the Neurodiversity Career Connector (NDCC), a career portal dedicated to neurodivergent jobseekers.
This new job marketplace connects neurodivergent people with companies already committed to neurodiversity hiring programs. Currently, the Neurodiversity Career Connector features job listings by U.S. employers seeking applicants who are neurodivergent. This commonly includes but is not limited to autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and/or Tourette Syndrome.
“It’s a phenomenal resource,” says Jason Ross, who recently landed a cybersecurity job through NDCC. “It’s made for us, by us. That level of understanding, baked in from the jump, is a meaningful distinction for this platform versus going on any general job platform and throwing your resume into the world.”
The Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable includes a group of nearly 50 companies with neurodiversity hiring programs and support systems in place for new employees. The goal of the group is to decrease job barriers and increase neurodiversity hiring in the workplace
“Neurodiverse individuals possess key competencies that are increasingly valuable to companies, such as strong problem-solving skills and unconventional thinking,” says Jill Houghton, President and CEO, Disability:IN. “A growing number of companies are seeing the value that diversity and inclusiveness brings to a company, and that’s why Disability:IN is proud to support the Neurodiversity @ Work Roundtable and help companies activate programs that work to hire neurodivergent candidates.”
According to the Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable there are ways to increase support for neurodivergent candidates such as:Assign job coaches/mentors.
Allott time weekly for employees to connect with other employees to share feedback on their lived experience. This is especially important for those who are in a remote work environment.
Take advantage of the trainings offered through the Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable for managers of employees hired through the Neurodiversity Career Connector.
ABOUT
The Employer Roundtable is powered by Disability:IN to help close the disability employment gap. The Neurodiversity @ Work Employer Roundtable started in 2017 with six founding members: DXC Technology, EY, Ford, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, and SAP. Since 2017, over 40 additional employers have joined the Roundtable – all with a commitment to and experience in hiring and supporting neurodivergent talent. You can find the complete list of employers here. The Roundtable employers have collectively hired 1,400 neurodivergent employees through their dedicated neurodiversity hiring programs, spanning across industries and company size. This includes, but not limited to, those identifying as autistic as well as those with ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and/or Tourette Syndrome.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Microsoft
Microsoft Media Relations, WE Communications(425) 638-7777
rapidresponse@we-worldwide.com
Disability:IN,
Suzanne Robitaille,
