When it comes to creating a framework to support autistic people in employment, making it person-centred is the key to this being successful. Autistica, an organisation since 2004, has recently published a report outlining its commitment to creating a more inclusive workplace for autistic individuals. The organisation has actively campaigned on various projects related to autism, striving to enhance understanding and address the continued marginalisation of autistic individuals in employment.
Autistica has pioneered a groundbreaking initiative known as the Neurodiversity Employers Index, designed to guide organisations towards becoming leaders in workplace inclusion. Some of their key recommendations include helping autistic employees advance in their careers through tailored training programmes, more inclusive hiring by ensuring career advisors can effectively guide autistic job seekers, supporting autistic people at work with 'autism design guides' for workspaces, and collaborating with software suppliers to create IT systems that cater to autistic people's needs.
As Enrych is a Disability Confident Leader, we recognise the injustices that many neurodiverse and disabled people face in the workplace and are doing our bit to close the gap on these injustices. Our employability programme is tailored to the unique needs of every individual and aims to close the disability employment gap. With our employability project going full steam ahead now, we have tailored it using valuable insights from people on our team who have lived experience of neurodiverse conditions. Whilst doing this, we also communicate with potential employers about the hiring process and make this a process which does not act as a hindrance to neurodivergent individuals. Ultimately, our goal is to instil hope, demonstrating that everyone can find fulfilment and live with purpose.