The employment potential for autistic adults

1. The employment potential for autistic adults New Zealand Disability Support Network 12 August 2011 Hilary.Stace@vuw.ac.nz Victoria University of Wellington

2. New Zealand Disability Strategy (2001)Objective 4:‘Provide opportunities in employment and economicdevelopment for disabled people• Enable disabled people to work in the open labour market (in accordance with human rights principles) and maintain an adequate income.’ UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) Article 27 - Work and employment ‘States Parties recognize the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others; this includes the right to the opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.’

3. Jay Nolan Community Services, California • ‘The mission of Jay Nolan Community Services, Inc. (JNCS) is to enable individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities to live fulfilling lives as members of the community by providing support services customized to their individual needs.’ • ‘At JNCS, employment is the highest priority for all people! We believe that everyone should have a job they love and find fulfilling with earned income and valued social roles.’ • www.jaynolan.org Keys: Expectations, right support, creative use of funds

4. Autism-specific software testing employment enterprises Specialisterne - Founded in Denmark by Thorkil Sonne, now franchised in other countries including Iceland and Scotland, aims to employ one million people worldwide http://specialisterne.com/ Aspiritech – Chicago, USA. Small family-run enterprise based on Specialisterne targetting smart phones and cloud technology www.aspiritech.org

5. Autistic Self Advocacy Network Founded 2006 Washington, USA, by and for people with autism ‘Several large American corporations have contacted ASAN expressing interest in creating internships or hiring college-educated Autistic people in order to create a more diverse atmosphere at their workplaces. In addition, ASAN is frequently sent openings for jobs in the government, non-profit, advocacy and public policy sectors for which we would like to recommend adults on the spectrum. As a result, we are reaching out to the broader community for resumes of interested Autistic applicants who are seeking employment’. http://www.autisticadvocacy.org

6. dalGeelong, Victoria, AustraliaCafe and Catering Company for those with ‘special needs’ www.dal.org.au Staff involved in all areas of the enterprise Linked with local university for ongoing review and evaluation Partnered with local TAFE for appropriate qualifications Many staff move onto mainstream restaurants 2005 -40 people with special needs, 20 support staff, second cafe opened, exporting model around Australia, staff give presentations at conferences

7. Mainstream Supported Employment Programme Origins in the 1970s Was in SSC now MSD Managed for much of its life by disabled people (‘nothing about us without us’) Places disabled people in newly created jobs in government agencies, first year 100% subsidy, 2nd year 80% (new), expectation job will then become permanent http://www.msd.govt.nz/what-we-can-do/disability-services/mainstream/index.html

8. People First People First/Works4Us Employment Advocacy Services ‘Work and your rights in NZ’ Explains work, rights, obligations, contracts, wages and minimum wage exemption (also on CD) http://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=75U6sefYLuo%3D&tabid=55 ‘Plain language Individual Employment Agreement’ http://www.peoplefirst.org.nz/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=9MTSLhBxAxo%3D&tabid=55

9. Characteristics of successful employment for autistic people Positive relationships and expectations of success Person-centred support Clear lines of management, preferably one ‘boss’ Simple ‘rules’, including what to do if rules broken Clear written instructions. If oral instruction, only one at a time Tasks demonstrated and broken into segments to do one after the other Predictable structure of day Low sensory environment and a place to retreat to if stress overwhelms Advance notice of any work related changes, and understood procedures for change or unexpected events Participation in review and evaluation and representation in governance Access to ongoing support over time as required

10. Other Useful websites • Autism New Zealand www.autismnz.org.nz • www. disability.gov/employment (USA) • Aspergers Syndrome New Zealand www.asnz.exofire.net (Wellington) • Aspiehelp (Christchurch) www.aspiehelp.com • IHC advocacy www.ihc.org.nz • National Health Committee (2003) To have an ‘ordinary’ life report. • New Zealand ASD Guideline (2008) (Ministry of Health www.moh.govt.nz) • New Zealand Guidelines Group, Living Guideline Group best practice report on autism and employment (forthcoming, 2011?) www.nzgg.org.nz • Office for Disability Issues (www.odi.govt.nz)