Employment

OAR’s Adult Employment Initiative

OAR’s employment initiative aims to connect individuals with autism with meaningful employment opportunities, and provide them with the supports necessary to succeed long-term. The initiative will guide job-seekers by assisting with the application, interview, and hiring process, and offer resources and research that will help facilitate long-term success. For employers, the goal is to encourage understanding about how to work with employees with autism, and to identify and offer supports in the workplace.

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The Sandy Lankler Jobs Portal lists local employment opportunities and offers workplace resources for individuals on the spectrum. Hire Autism aims to provide job-seekers with meaningful employment opportunities commensurate with their skills.

For Employers

Through Hire Autism, employers will be able to learn more about autism before hiring an employee, and find tips and tools to help accommodate their employees with autism. The first stage of Hire Autism is focused on businesses in the Northern Virginia/Tyson’s Corner area. Hire Autism gives employers the ability to:

  • Access and pre-screen applicant profiles
  • Receive application materials (ie. resume, references) from individuals interested in the job
  • Receive email notifications when people apply for your position(s)
  • View resources and tips to help employers better accommodate their employees with autism

If you are interested in listing a job on Hire Autism, please contact business@hireautism.org or 703-216-1372.

For Job-Seekers

Hire Autism is primarily created for job-seekers who are 16 and older looking for their first job. The website is designed to be an autism friendly space that helps users find meaningful employment, internship, or volunteer opportunities that match their skills and abilities. Users will be able to:

  • Access a jobs board
  • Utilize a search feature tailored to individual needs like job type and location
  • Create a unique profile that doubles as your Hire Autism resume
  • Upload an existing resume, list of references, and cover letter when applying for a job
  • Utilize a resource center that includes tips on social interaction at work and advice for successful long-term employment
  • Adjust privacy settings

By using Hire Autism, job-seekers will not have to worry about when to disclose information about having autism or explain to employers about what autism is. Employers using Hire Autism are specifically looking for individuals with autism because of their unique talents and qualities. To sign up or for more information please go to HireAutism.org.

Click here for a complete listing of Hire Autism Business Partners

Understanding Autism: An Employer’s Guide

OAR collaborated with the District of Columbia Public Schools to produce a short resource entitled Understanding Autism: An Employer’s Guide to help front line supervisors support their employees with autism. An Employer’s Guide is intended to hel
p start the conversation about understanding, welcoming, training, and supporting young adults with autism in the workplace by outlining five keys to success:

  • Get to know your employee
  • Orient your employee and train him or her on specific job duties
  • Foster a welcoming and supportive workplace
  • Maximize your company’s existing support systems
  • Give clear directions and performance feedback

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Contact Us

OAR welcomes any volunteers who can contribute expertise, suggestions, comments, or concerns about OAR’s Adult Employment Initiative. Please contact us by emailing mail@hireautism.org or call 703-216-1372.

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