Program Summary
Viewing Our Job Seekers:
Our portal offers a unique opportunity for you to look for qualified talent and diversity hiring! By entering the portal, our job seekers have (1) self-identified as having autism and/or intellectual developmental disabilities, taking the guess work out of your interview process, and (2) been pre-screened and sufficiently prepared for the job market by The Power of the Dream. We also conduct a workplace related needs assessment for each job seeker, which provides information to employers regarding accommodations the job seeker may need under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or challenges that may have to be considered during training.
The portal and resource section are free. However, you must register in order to access job candidates’ full resumes and personal information. You can view job seekers’ skills and backgrounds without registering, but not their names or contact information.
Posting Your Employment Opportunities:
Once you register, you can also post your job openings, internships, and discovery opportunities for individuals with autism/IDD. Posting positions is free of charge, and job seekers can contact you directly.
Alternative Interviewing:
We strongly encourage you to learn about alternative interview techniques in the resource section. Many job seekers with autism/IDD have challenges answering open-ended questions and providing expected social cues such as firm handshakes or eye contact. Changing the application or interview process to meet the needs of a person with autism/IDD is an accommodation under the ADA and not preferential treatment.
The employer can arrange for interviews and make job offers without interacting with The Power of the Dream; however, we remain available for questions and support throughout the process.
Advantages of Hiring adults on the Autism Spectrum or Individuals with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD)
Employees with autism/IDD have unique abilities that make them a great addition to a diverse work environment!
Many individuals on the autism spectrum share common traits, including intense attention to detail, affinity for repetitive tasks, the ability to detect patterns, and to stay hyper-focused for a long period of time. For numerous jobs that require these traits, employees with autism have often higher productivity than their neuro-typical peers. Enhanced performance, workflow, and productivity benefit the business and its workforce.
Employees with autism/IDD also make uniquely reliable workers. Once they are comfortable with their environment, they tend to stay for a very long time. Absenteeism has also been reported as below average. Low turnover and absenteeism save money.
Onboarding and training of individuals with autism/IDD often takes more effort on the front-end. Managers will have to learn to be precise in their communication, provide helpful feedback to the employee, and set clear expectations. Developing those skills
in managers and co- workers will benefit the business and its employees in general.
Many adults with autism/IDD receive government assistance in the form of Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare. Based on their disabilities, these individuals look to supplement that income by working part-time. Employers who have tasks that do not require a full-time hire will find motivated workers who are not wanting to leave as soon as a better paying opportunity comes along. These workers are looking for a limited income that will not jeopardize their health benefits. The opposite can also be true: Individuals who then successfully support themselves through gainful employment are less dependent on other government assistance, saving all of us money.
For more information click here. You may also view more information in our resources section.
This is a summary of our program. For the full details, download the PDF of the Triangle Inclusive Careers Program Description.
View our Frequently Asked Questions for Employers.