Navigating job support

Employment plays a significant role in the lives of many individuals, providing a sense of purpose, structure, and financial independence. 

For autistic adults, finding and retaining suitable employment can be a challenge, but there are various support systems available to help bridge the gap. Let’s explore some of these below.

Disability Employment Services (DES)

DES is a government-funded initiative that provides personalised support to job seekers with disabilities, including those with high support needs. It offers individual assistance such as job search support, resume building, interview preparation, and on-the-job training. DES providers work closely with employers to create supportive work environments.

How DES providers can assist

DES providers play an important role in helping autistic adults navigate the job market. Here are some of the ways they can assist:

• Job readiness: DES providers help individuals prepare for the workforce through training in specific job skills, resume writing, and interview preparation.
• Job placement: Providers assist in finding suitable job opportunities and may facilitate unpaid work experience to enhance employability.
• On-the-job training: Once an individual secures a job, DES providers offer on-the-job training to ensure a smooth transition.
• Workplace modifications: They can help modify the workplace to meet the needs of the employee, including providing Auslan (sign language) support if necessary.
• Ongoing support: Continuous support is provided to both the employee and employer to ensure long-term job retention.

JobAccess

JobAccess is a comprehensive Australian website dedicated to work and employment for people with disabilities. It provides resources and advice for individuals, employers, and service providers. The JobAccess website offers a wealth of information on:

• Finding local DES providers: It helps individuals locate DES providers in their area.
• Telephone advice line: For personalised advice, individuals can call the JobAccess telephone advice line at 1800 464 800.

Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) 

For individuals requiring ongoing support, supported employment options are available through Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs). These organisations offer a range of job opportunities in a supportive setting, where workers can develop skills and gain work experience at their own pace.

ADEs provide various job opportunities in industries like mailing, gardening, packing, and fulfilment. It's important to understand the available pay rates and work conditions. 

While many individuals may choose to remain within the supportive environment of an ADE, these enterprises also serve as a stepping stone to open employment. By gaining work experience and building confidence, some employees can transition into jobs in the broader community. ADEs often work with external employers to facilitate this transition, providing additional support to ensure a smooth move into a new work environment.

Just like any other industry, there are high-quality providers and bad ones. Conduct thorough research to find the provider that best fits your needs. Look for providers who offer transparency, respect, good training and support, and are genuinely trying to meet the needs of their employees.

While ADEs play a role in supporting employment for people with disabilities, there are ongoing discussions about how these enterprises can further evolve. Some of the challenges include ensuring that all employees receive equitable wages, expanding the range of industries and roles available, and improving the work environment's inclusivity.

There is also a growing focus on enhancing the pathways from supported to open employment, ensuring that individuals who want to transition into the broader workforce have the necessary skills, confidence, and support to do so successfully.

Social enterprises

Social enterprises are businesses with a social mission at their core. They provide jobs for people with disabilities in a variety of roles. Unlike Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), social enterprises usually operate within the broader community, aiming to create inclusive work environments where everyone feels valued. One important difference is that employees in social enterprises are generally paid standard wages. These businesses also prioritise training and development, helping staff build skills that could lead to open employment in the wider job market.

Training and development are central to what social enterprises do. They tailor opportunities to fit each person’s abilities and aspirations, focusing on skill-building that empowers employees to take on more responsibility, learn new skills, and possibly move on to mainstream employment. Many social enterprises offer structured training programs, apprenticeships, or mentorship schemes that support career growth.

Social enterprises work on the idea that everyone has unique needs and goals, offering support that might include on-the-job training, flexible working hours, or access to counselling and advocacy services. By playing to each worker's strengths and potential, social enterprises create an environment where employees with disabilities can thrive and build confidence in their abilities.

Ultimately, many social enterprises aim to act as a stepping stone to open employment. By providing real-world work experience and fostering relevant skills, they prepare employees with disabilities for jobs in the mainstream workforce. This transition is often made smoother through partnerships with businesses, government programs, and disability employment services, which offer additional resources and support.

Understanding NDIS employment funding

If your NDIS plan includes an employment goal, you can access funding to help you achieve it. This funding can be used for employment assessments, counselling, and individualised services to help you with your job search and in retaining employment. 

Discuss these options with your Local Area Coordinator (LAC) or planner to ensure your plan includes necessary support.

If you don’t have an employment goal in your NDIS plan, you can discuss this at your next planning or review meeting. Setting clear employment goals is crucial. They should be specific and measurable so that you can track how you are progressing and what you need to achieve them. Discuss your work goals, what challenges you are facing finding or keeping a job and identify any supports that you think will assist. Your planner will ask you questions about the type of work you are interested in, what skills or qualifications you have and what type of employment you are looking for. 

Employment agencies

Employment agencies can help you find job opportunities that match your skills and interests. They often have connections with employers who are looking to hire autistic individuals. These agencies can also assist with resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement.

There are also Disability Employment agencies that specialise in helping people with a disability secure work. For autistic individuals, there are also autism-specific agencies that can help, including:

• auticon: an international IT service provider and the first company in Germany to exclusively employ people on the autism spectrum as IT consultants. auticon is extremely proud of their autism-positive work culture, recognising each employee for their individual strengths and talents and delivering outstanding quality to their customers.
• Aspect Capable Employment Service: extensive assistance with recruitment, job seeking, interview support, mentoring and training, both for employers and employees, through its Aspect Capable team.
• DXC’s Dandelion program: an initiative to build valuable information technology skills and careers for autistic people. Combining mentoring, support and training over three years in specially matched ‘pods’ the focus of the program is on developing technical, life and career building skills.
• Specialisterne Australia: an innovative social business organisation originally founded in Denmark in 2004. Specialisterne Australia assists organisations to recruit and support autistic people at work.‍
• Xceptional: career services for autistic professionals. Skill-based employment for people on the autism spectrum through an accessible games-based recruiting and placement process.

Career and job coaching

A career coach is a skilled professional dedicated to helping you determine your skills and experience, identify your career aspirations, and develop a plan to help you achieve your employment goals. 

How a career coach can help

• Skill building: Coaches can help you identify and develop the skills needed for your desired job.
• Resume writing: They assist in writing and reviewing your resume, highlighting your strengths and experiences effectively.
• Job application and interview skills: Coaches provide tips and practice sessions to improve your job application and interview performance.
• Advocating on your behalf: They can communicate with potential employers to help them understand your unique strengths and requirements.
• Connecting you with employers: Coaches often have networks of employers looking to hire autistic individuals.
• Building your confidence and self-esteem: Through consistent support and feedback, coaches help build your confidence in your abilities.
• Being your sounding board: They listen to your concerns and provide constructive feedback.
• Identifying your character strengths and abilities: Coaches help you recognise your unique traits and how they can be an asset in the workplace.
• Developing a job plan: They assist in creating a step-by-step plan to achieve your employment goals.

Choosing the right career coach

It is important to do your research before you engage a career coach to ensure they are the right fit for you. Look for coaches with a good understanding of autism and diverse methods to help you plan and find work. Reviews, testimonials, and initial consultations can be useful in determining if a coach is suitable for your needs.