A new report commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a list of recommendations aimed at removing employment barriers for autistic people.
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment was commissioned after figures from the DWP revealed that only around 30 per cent of working-age autistic people are in employment. Evidence also pointed to employers and managers often reporting poor knowledge of autism and being underprepared to identify and implement adjustments for autistic people.
In a bid to address this inequality, the review explored five central themes:
- What initiatives can help to raise awareness, reduce stigma and capitalise on the productivity of autistic employees;
- What more could be done to prepare autistic people effectively for beginning or returning to a career;
- How recruitment practices can be adjusted to meet the needs of autistic applicants;
- How employers can support autistic people already in their workforce; and
- How autistic staff can be encouraged and supported to develop and progress in their career.
The report notes that many of the changes employers could make that would help recruit, retain and develop autistic people would also benefit people with other types of neurodiversity and disability, and non-disabled people.