Microsoft plans to hire more people with autism

Earlier this month Microsoft announced a pilot program to recruit workers with autism. The company is in full swing with Specialisterne, a social innovator nonprofit company that works with the characteristics of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder as a competitive advantage in the business market.

Microsoft will focus on filling full-time jobs at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Mary Ellen Smith, Microsoft’s corporate vice president for operations, said the company has been “committed to enabling people with disabilities to be successful for a long time.” 

Microsoft's headquarters in Washington.

Initially, the program is expected to include about 10 people with autism. Smith, along with other software companies, recognized that people with autism can bring special skills to the workforce. Back in 2013, SAP announced a similar program in conjunction with Specialisterne.

“Microsoft is stronger when we expand opportunity and we have a diverse workforce that represents our customers,” wrote Smith, in a blog post announcing the pilot program. “People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft, each individual is different, some have amazing ability to retain information, think at a level of detail and depth or excel in math or code.”

Smith, who has a 19-year-old son with autism, said that Microsoft already works with its vendor partners to employ people with disabilities in employment situations for roles in event services, transportation, and food services. Although the new pilot program is focused on autism, Smith said Microsoft is “passionate about hiring individuals of all disabilities.”

Candidates interested in Microsoft's pilot program can email resumes to msautism@microsoft.com.

Story via Mashable.