A new program, TheSpectrumCareers.com, connects employers with job-seekers who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other disabilities. The new site is a joint effort of Autism Speaks, a science and advocacy group, and Rangam Consultants Inc., a New Jersey company that specializes in staffing Fortune 500 companies. The goal of the site is to promote inclusive hiring and to highlight the skills of a largely untapped pool of talent. The site was built by WebTeam Corporation which develops technology solutions for people with ASD. A person with ASD led the team to help design a site that has features that are especially useful to people with ASD and to employers committed to inclusion.
Each year, 50,000 young people with autism in the United States reach adulthood; however only an estimated 15 percent are gainfully employed in jobs that match their abilities, according to Autism Speaks. TheSpectrumCareers.com lets a user create or upload a resume. Job-seekers can also upload a video resume and demonstrate job-related skills to prospective employers. This feature can be particularly suited to people with disabilities. Employers can also add videos such as a video description of the job or photos of the workplace. Visual features may help relieve some anxiety that comes with preparing for a job interview and adjusting to a new work environment. The site can also help job-seekers with other services such as job coaches.
Autism Speaks, Rangam Consultants Inc. and WebTeam Corporation have posted their own job listings on the site along with jobs in businesses and organizations of all sizes, types and locations across North America. Job-seekers can search by job type, employer or service provider. They can also search by location and specify a number of miles from a specific location.
March 21, 2016