The Autism Co-operative Research Centre has launched new resources to support autistic people into employment.
It includes an improved version of myWAY Employability web app and a new Self-Advocacy@Work online resource package that will be available to users from November. These add to the range of resources developed by Autism CRC intended to build neurodiversity-inclusive employment understanding and capacity, for the benefit of both employees and employers.
The myWAY Employability supports autistic people to map out and achieve their employment goals, communicate and champion their needs and strengths in the workplace, and engage successfully with employers and services providers. The app has helped over 4,500 registered users create a personalised career roadmap and convene a support team to help them achieve their goals. The enhanced version will make exploration of career choices and team collaboration in the app even easier.
The Self-Advocacy@Work online resource package includes a series of accessible multimedia tools and resources designed to equip and empower autistic people to better advocate for themselves in the workplace.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said autistic people are currently around seven times more likely to be unemployed than people without disability. “The National Autism Strategy will for the first time create a coordinated, national approach to supporting autistic people at each stage of their lives,” she said. And there will be future opportunities to provide feedback on the draft Strategy when it is released for public comment.
Autism CRC CEO Andrew Davis said the resources are important tools for autistic people to determine and guide their own paths to successful and sustained participation in the workforce.
The myWAY Employability web portal and Autism CRC’s other employment resources can be accessed through the Autism CRC website.