Inspiring Success Stories
Discover real-life stories of autistic jobseekers and their remarkable journeys to employment, showcasing the potential of the autism community.
Explore success stories
Discover real-life stories of autistic jobseekers and their remarkable journeys to employment, showcasing the potential of the autism community.
Employers
Working with Neurodiverse Talent: Interview with Roy Van Den Heede, CEO Diasbytes, Belgium
In this video, Roy Van Den Heede, CEO of Diasbytes, shares his insights and experiences of working with an autistic team member. Join us as Roy discusses the challenges, rewards, and valuable lessons he’s gained from fostering an inclusive workplace, and discover how embracing neurodiversity can benefit both employees and organisations.
Employers
Interview with Raúl Martínez, employer at the Andalusian Regional Government's
In this video, Raúl Martínez, recruiter for the Andalusian Regional Government's Environmental Department, shares his expertise in inclusive hiring practices and his experience recruiting and supporting autistic professionals in the field of environmental conservation. Join us as Raúl explores the challenges, strategies, and benefits of fostering a diverse workforce, highlighting the value that neurodiverse talent brings to public service roles.
Employers
Interview with Manon Provost, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Passwerk
In this video, Manon Provost, Marketing & Communication Specialist at Passwerk, shares their process of recruiting and supporting autistic employees. Join us as Manon explains the value that autistic people bring to clients.
Employers
Interview with Aurore Lentz, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at Toyota
In the video, Aurore Lentz, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager at Toyota and Founder & co-chair of Disability Employee Network, shares with us all the accommodation projects implemented at Toyota’s headquarters in Brussels. Join us as Aurore explains the importance of work accommodation and more.
Employers
Flexibility & Equality in the Workplace: Insights from Jan Ghys, Shareholder at Diasbytes, Belgium
In this video, Jan delves into his experiences with recruitment, sustainable workplace practices, and fostering flexibility and equality—especially in the context of working alongside an autistic colleague. As a shareholder and member of the senior management team, Jan shares valuable insights on how embracing neurodiversity can strengthen organisations and promote a more equitable work environment.
Employers
eMAG interview on the experience with an autistic employee
In this interview, eMAG details the motivation behind employing people with autism and the measures taken to create an inclusive recruitment process. You will learn about the strategies used to ensure a working environment adapted to the specific needs of people with autism and the barriers encountered in their implementation. The HR department explains the training and support provided to teams to work effectively with colleagues with autism, as well as best practices and concrete examples of the impact these employees have on the organization. For companies that have not yet employed people with autism, the discussion extends to opportunities and challenges, identifying factors that might influence their future employment, and the resources needed to support integration. Also explored are the benefits of diversity within organizations and ways in which recruitment and interview processes can be adapted to be accessible to all candidates. An open dialogue on inclusion, adaptability and the chance to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.
Employers
Interview with Laura Aguado - Manager of RH in L'Òreal Spain and Portugal
In this video, Laura Aguado, HR Manager at L’Oréal Spain and Portugal, shares her insights on the role of human resources in fostering inclusive workplaces. Laura discusses the strategies L’Oréal has adopted to support diversity, the challenges faced in implementing inclusive hiring practices, and the impact of embracing neurodiversity on both the organisation and its employees.
VET Providers
Interview with Kalina Zajączkowska, president and founder of the Association "Nie z tej bajki"
Interview with Kalina Zajączkowska - mother of autistic Krzysztof, neuro-speech therapist, communication therapist, the president and founder of the Association of Autistic People's Friends "Nie z tej bajki", whose activities include, among other things, a job training school.
VET Providers
Interview with Pilar Pérez, President of the Centro de Formación Educativo (VET)
In this video, Pilar Pérez, President of the Centro de Formación Educativo, shares her perspective on the importance of vocational education and training (VET) in empowering autistic individuals. Pilar discusses the initiatives her center has implemented to create inclusive learning environments, the challenges faced by educators, and the rewards of supporting neurodiverse students in their journey toward employment and personal growth.
VET Providers
Help Autism specialist in policies for the inclusion of people with autism in the labor market
This interview features Elvira, Autism Inclusion Policy Specialist at Help Autism, who provides a valuable insight into the inclusion of people with autism in the labor market. The discussion explores both relevant international statistics, including from the United States, where progress in the employment of people with autism is notable, and the situation in Romania, where the number of those employed is still low. Elvira underlines the difficulties at local level in terms of professional integration and the lack of clear data reflecting the real number of employed people with autism. In the interview, Elvira presents the procedures and programs implemented by Help Autism to support people with autism in finding and maintaining employment. The organization's pilot project for the employment of people with autism is described, which includes inclusion policies applied from the recruitment process. By creating an accessible recruitment environment, backed by professionals who provided confidence and support, Help Autism was able to reduce the barriers faced by candidates with autism. Elvira discusses Help Autism's efforts to make jobs more accessible by tailoring tasks to meet the specific needs of people with autism. She also highlights the importance of creating accessible job postings and implementing training programs for HR departments to help them work effectively and inclusively with employees with autism. This interview provides an overview of the impact that inclusion initiatives can have on the lives of people with autism and on organizations adopting progressive policies in this area.
VET Providers
Interview with Ms. Mariana Meran from the Special Vocational School - St. Nicholas from Bucharest
This interview explores how educational institutions and companies can support the inclusion of young people with autism. In the interview, Ms. Meran discussed the increasing number of students with autism in mainstream schools and her experiences in supporting them. The vocational school has specific policies and procedures for integrating students with autism, including individualized educational plans and collaboration with specialists, all aimed at creating an inclusive and nurturing environment. The institution collaborates with various organizations and companies to facilitate the transition of young people with autism into the workforce, offering support through practical training and career guidance programmes. These initiatives aim to develop their skills and enable them to adapt to the professional environment. Discover company outreach initiatives, success stories and valuable tips for creating an inclusive and adaptable work environment. This material provides essential insights for all those who want to support people with autism in their professional journey. The interview concluded with useful tips for other organizations looking to improve their hiring and inclusion practices for people with autism, emphasizing the importance of an open and adaptive work environment for all employees.
VET Providers
Interview with Ms. Laura Leguina from the Autismo Sur
This interview explores how educational institutions and companies can support the inclusion of young people with autism. In the interview, Ms. Laura Leguina discusses the increasing number of students with autism in mainstream schools and her experiences in supporting them. Autismo Sur has specific policies and procedures for integrating students with autism, including individualized educational plans and collaboration with specialists, all aimed at creating an inclusive and nurturing environment. The organization collaborates with various businesses and educational institutions to facilitate the transition of young people with autism into the workforce, offering support through practical training and career guidance programs. These initiatives aim to develop their skills and enable them to adapt to the professional environment. Discover Autismo Sur’s outreach initiatives, success stories, and valuable tips for creating an inclusive and adaptable work environment. This material provides essential insights for all those who want to support individuals with autism in their professional journey. The interview concludes with useful tips for other organizations looking to improve their hiring and inclusion practices for people with autism, emphasizing the importance of an open and adaptive work environment for all employees.
Autistic Jobseekers
An Autistic Jobseeker's Journey: Juanita's Path to Employment
Why are employment rates for autistic people so low? In this video, Juanita shares her personal journey — from the challenges of job searching and navigating interviews to the realities of maintaining a job in a neurotypical workplace. Her story uncovers the barriers autistic jobseekers face and offers valuable insights into what employers can do to create more inclusive and supportive work environments.
Autistic Jobseekers
Interview with Ángel: Finding a job
In this video, Ángel shares his personal journey and experiences in the workplace. Join us as Ángel discusses the challenges he has faced, the triumphs he has achieved, and the valuable lessons he has learned throughout his employment journey. Discover how his story highlights the importance of embracing neurodiversity in creating inclusive, supportive work environments.
Autistic Jobseekers
Interview with Maciej Oksztulski, nonverbal autistic person and Doctor of Law
Interview with Maciej Oksztulski - nonverbal autistic person, who communicates by using a facilitated communication method. Maciej Oksztulski is also a Doctor of Law, a research worker at the University of Białystok, a scholarship holder of the National Science Center and the author of 15 scientific articles on autism. Interviewer: Izabela Kocyłak, the SYNAPSIS Foundation
Autistic Jobseekers
Interview with Robert Kucharski, autistic man currently looking for employment
Interview with Robert Kucharski - autistic man, currently looking for employment, with experience of working in Vocational Activation Center and on the open labor market in gastronomy. Interviewer: Izabela Kocyłak, the SYNAPSIS Foundation
Autistic Jobseekers
Silviu, an employee with autism shares his career aspirations
In this touching interview, a young employee with autism shares their career aspirations, discussing the resources and adaptations needed to keep their job and feel safe at work. They talk about their successful experiences and strategies that have helped them find employment, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive work environment and open communication. Also from the interview, you will learn how this young man perceives the level of awareness and support from employers, what those who work with autistic people should know and how companies can improve conditions for all their employees. The interview is a testament to the importance of understanding, accommodation and collaboration to create workplaces where diversity is valued.
Autistic Jobseekers
Alberto, interview on the experience of an inclusive work environment
In this touching interview, a young employee with autism shares their career aspirations, discussing the resources and adaptations needed to keep their job and feel safe at work. They talk about their successful experiences and strategies that have helped them find employment, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive work environment and open communication. Also from the interview, you will learn how this young man perceives the level of awareness and support from employers, what those who work with autistic people should know and how companies can improve conditions for all their employees. The interview is a testament to the importance of understanding, accommodation and collaboration to create workplaces where diversity is valued