Though it just launched this year, ISAW’s Autism Informed Employer program has already made a difference.
The Louisville Free Public Library has given its entire staff the Autism Informed Employer (AIE) training from Innovative Supports for Autistic Workers (ISAW). The AIE program is a free online course that allows employers to learn about strategies to accommodate and support autistic workers. ISAW has been offering trainings for employers for some time that provide similar information, but the AIE program offers flexibility and ease.
“We discuss the hiring process, how to write a listing that doesn’t unintentionally discriminate against autistic applicants, how to conduct an interview including types of questions that are likely to get the most useful responses,” ISAW Project Coordinator Bev Harp said. “Then we have scenarios to work through, encouraging the learner to think about how they might best respond to situations that could come up at work. The full course is about 3.5 hours.”
Even though the training course is online, ISAW staff still makes an effort to provide personal attention to those who complete the course.
“We like to connect with each employer by email when we receive notification of their completion. We want to be sure they are aware that they can reach out to us with questions at any time and that we are here to support them and their autistic employees,” Harp said.
So far, more than 60 people have taken the online courses. That number includes managers and direct support professionals. However, the Louisville Free Public Library is the first time Harp and her team have provided AIE training to such a large organization’s entire staff. ISAW even hosted a panel to answer any followup questions.
“We had questions submitted in advance and people were also free to ask us anything else. I always prefer it when people have a lot of questions. Autism is complicated, the systems we need to interact with are complicated, and the problems we encounter require an individualized approach. Knowing that an employer is on the same page with that is reassuring; we know that they will reach out when an employee has a need they are not sure how to address,” Harp said. “That’s the kind of support autistic workers need, not someone who takes a training and then believes they understand all they need to know.”
And in the course of conducting the panel, ISAW got an unusual question.
“They asked how to share their participation in Autism Informed Employers with library patrons as well,” Harp said. “We are now working with their communications team to develop a brochure that will outline what it means to be an Autism Informed Employer and, how this reflects the library’s mission and values.”
Harp stressed that while the AIE program is targeted towards employers, anyone who is curious about autism can benefit from it.
“While it is designed for employers, family members and Employment Specialists have also found the training helpful in improving their ability to communicate with autistic people,” she said. “Anyone who is interested in learning more about autism is welcome to take the training too.”
To learn more, visit https://www.hdilearning.org/courses/autism-informed-employers/.
