Currently, only 30% of autistic people are employed. Research by the National Autistic Society revealed that half of unemployed autistic individuals believe support, understanding, and acceptance could help them secure jobs. Meanwhile, 68% of employers expressed concerns about how to effectively support autistic employees.

The award focuses on several key areas:

• Increasing employment opportunities and retention for autistic individuals
• Providing businesses with the skills and knowledge needed to support autistic employees
• Implementing reasonable adjustments, such as flexible working arrangements, to accommodate autistic staff
• Creating a welcoming environment that encourages autistic individuals to thrive in the workplace
• Promoting a culture of acceptance to help autistic colleagues feel comfortable disclosing their diagnosis
• Valuing diverse perspectives to build a more dynamic workforce

With over 60 years of experience working with autistic individuals, the National Autistic Society offers the Autism Inclusive Employer Award to provide tailored strategies for organisations of varying sizes, helping them foster more inclusive work environments.

Christine Flintoft-Smith, Head of Autism Accreditation and Projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “We are thrilled to announce our Autism Inclusive Employer Award, which is dedicated to acknowledging and supporting organisations that are working towards creating autism-inclusive workplaces. We believe that every autistic person deserves the opportunity to pursue a career aligned with their skills and aspirations, and this new award will support organisations to help achieve this.”