Autism in the Workplace

What if I told you that hiring people with disabilities was not a charity act? What if businesses began to understand the contributions they are missing out on because they don’t have employees with disabilities? How would the lives of individuals with disabilities be impacted if they had jobs that highlighted their strengths and addressed their challenges?

Well, it turns out that some businesses are finding out the answers to these questions. And they like what they see.

Read the full article about Autism in the Workplace here.

Just a highlight from the article: Duke Roberson is a manager and Bank of America’s support center in Dallas. The department is tasked with processing reams and reams of paperwork. And all 75 employees in Roberson’s office have disabilities. And it’s not charity!

Roberson reports that his staff enjoy the consistent schedule and tasks each day. What are the outcomes of his team? Here are the facts:

Turnover within Roberson’s team is incredibly low, and performance, profitability and morale are good.

“There’s no charity to this at all,” he says.

It is my hope that one day people with autism and other disabilities will have the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from holding a job, earning income – and most importantly – contributing their gifts and talents in society. I hope that one day soon in North Georgia, businesses large and small will come to understand the value to hiring people with disabilities and will enjoy the benefits to their business.

It’s a large task to accomplish and it will take a long time to turn the tide of our communities. But it will begin with one person, one business, one employer, one job.

Who will take the first step to open up the door to possibilities? I look forward to finding out.