Share

Microsoft starts programme to hire workers with autism

New York - US technology giant Microsoft has launched a pilot programme to hire autistic workers at its headquarters in Washington state.

"People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft," Mary Ellen Smith, a corporate vice-president wrote in a company blog last week.

"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. It's a talent pool that we want to continue to bring to Microsoft!"

Smith, who has a son with autism who is now 19, said the programme builds on longstanding efforts at Microsoft to enlist people with disabilities.

Microsoft is working on the initiative with Specialisterne, a venture started by the Specialist People Foundation in Denmark. The organisation's philosophy is to tap traits that austistic people have that can be useful to companies, for instance in software testing, programming and data entry,

"The traits that usually exclude people with autism from the labour market are the very traits that make them valuable employees such as attention to detail, zero tolerance for errors and a persistence to get the job done," according to the group's website.

"We don't see them as people with an autism diagnosis; rather, we see them as true specialists."

Specialisterne previously assisted German technology company SAP on a venture hire workers with autism.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.90
-0.0%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.1%
Platinum
907.85
+1.2%
Palladium
1,012.25
+1.1%
Gold
2,219.28
+1.1%
Silver
24.85
+0.8%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders