Inc.com Highlights Entrepreneurs Employing Adults with Autism
The majority of adults with autism are unemployed, yet have great potential to make a positive impact in the workplace across many fields. In an article 3 Million People Who Could Be Your Company’s Competitive Advantage, Inc.com highlights the entrepreneurs working to solve this problem and asks them to share their experiences and the lessons they’ve learned employing individuals on the spectrum.
The article quotes Autism Speaks Director of Adult Services Dave Kearon. “Everything that you and I take for granted as part of our adult life comes as a challenge to many families–housing, support for things they need to live independently, employment.”
The article starts with the story behind Rising Tide Car Wash, a company founded by the father and older brother of a young man with autism to provide job opportunities for adults on the spectrum. Their model has been incredibly successful.
In addition to Rising Tide, Inc.com highlights four other entrepreneurs employing adults with autism and asks them to share lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Lesson 1: Know Whom You’re Hiring
Meticulon, Calgary, Alberta
Lesson 2: Create a Supportive Culture
Rising Tide Car Wash, Parkland, Florida
Lesson 3: Autism is Not Your Product
Lee & Marie’s Cakery, Miami Beach, Florida
Lesson 4: Keep Your Standards High
C.F. Martin & Company, Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Lesson 5: Shape the Job to the Employee, Not the Employee to the Job
Words Bookstore, Maplewood, New Jersey
Last month, Autism Speaks and Rangam Consultants launched TheSpectrumCareers.com, a web portal designed to promote inclusive employment of the autism community by connecting employers, service providers and employees on the spectrum. Learn more here!
Read the article from Inc.com here.