Employment

When it comes to maintaining a workforce that includes people with disabilities, the most successful employment settings take advantage of individuals' strengths and abilities while simultaneously supporting them in areas where they are challenged, such as effective interactions with other staff. This section includes resources to help individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers prepare for, find and maintain employment that meets their needs and builds on their assets. Resources to assist employers hire and successfully support individuals with ASD and other disabilities in the workplace are also listed.

Resources

Preparing for employment

The Autism Internet Modules website offers strategies to improve employment outcomes for individuals with autism through its free learning module, "Preparing Individuals for Employment." (After registration and log-in, select the "Autism in the Workplace" category, which includes this module.)
The nonPareil Institute, a nonprofit corporation with facilities on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Plano, Texas, provides technology-based technical training and programs designed to prepare individuals with autism for future employment.
The Indiana Resource Center for Autism hosts articles written by Dr. Temple Grandin, "Choosing the Right Job for People with Autism or Asperger's Syndrome" and "Making the Transition from the World of School into the World of Work."

Finding and maintaining employment

The Job Accommodation Network offers free and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues for both employees and employers.
The Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, through its website Worksupport.com, offers extensive resources including materials and information that facilitate employment and job retention for individuals with disabilities.
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth provides information about employment and youth with disabilities.
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities connects federal sector employers nationwide with postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities.
APSE (formerly the Association for Persons in Supported Employment) is a national nonprofit membership organization that focuses on integrated employment and career advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
GettingHired, whose mission is to create sustainable employment growth and opportunity for people with disabilities, offers free services designed to help people prepare for the workplace and build their careers.
The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services provides information on supported employment providers in Texas. Supported employment provides assistance such as job coaching, assistive technology, specialized job training and individually tailored supervision.
The Social Security Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the U.S. Department of Justice collaborated on "A Guide for People with Disabilities Seeking Employment."

Employer resources

The Job Accommodation Network is a source of free and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues for both employers and employees.
The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities connects federal sector employers nationwide with postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities.
The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort between several disability and business organizations that seeks to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities.
GettingHired, whose mission is to create sustainable employment growth and opportunity for people with disabilities, connects employers to job seekers with disabilities.
Think Beyond the Label, a collaborative effort spearheaded by Health & Disability Advocates, makes a business case for employing people with disabilities and connects businesses to qualified candidates with disabilities.

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Updated: April 18, 2013