Job opportunities for Autistic Adults?

SarahBosibori

Many of my colleagues have had to hide or mask their troubles just to educate society, It becomes hard at times when the pressure comes in when we can't seem to be weak. If we appear weak we let society dictate that indeed we are the weaklings in society. Burnouts are on a regular, especially in a society that still doesn't have accommodative and suitable jobs that we need to sustain a living. Some of us have learning difficulties therefore we don't hold degrees or master's. Job vacancies with qualifications that are meant for Neurotypical and well-off individuals. We do have experience and are certified but how can Autistic Adults obtain a job? not just any job but an accommodative one?

BKiwu

Owing to less knowledge and awareness on invisible disabilities in general, it can be hard to know the reasonable accommodation needs for an autistic employee at the workplace. But in advanced countries where awareness is continuous and collaborative between medical and employment professionals, there are many job opportunities for autistic individuals. Case in point are is the Microsoft Inclusive Hiring Program by Microsoft of course, and a similar one by the audit company Ernest and Young (EY).

The good thing is, the above companies ( Microsoft and EY) are international so there are uniform standards to be met in the countries they operate in. Since these companies operate in Kenya, it would be a good starting point to ask if they accommodate autistic individuals here, as they do in their countries of origin.

If not, discussions can be started on how to go about disability inclusion in the workplace and how to go about providing reasonable accommodation for as per the disability at hand, more so for invisible disabilities which are more often than not overlooked. Fortunately as a country there are disability focused organizations that focus on helping organizations become disability inclusive as far as employment is concerned. One is Riziki Source and the other is Light for the World.