Danish Businessman Hires Only Those With Autism

Thorkil Sonne, who owns an IT business in Denmark, is happy with his decision to hire only employees with Autism. This decision was inspired after his third son Lars, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at three years old.

He now has 43 employees with ASD, he says they are well suited to their roles as people with ASD are known to have the ability to focus and give more attention to detail.

He says that they do their jobs with the high level of precision required to perform such tasks as software testing, data entry and quality control. Sonne says that they do a job that would not motivate generalists to do, by generalists, he means people who do not have ASD. He says that they have the ability to perform tasks like software bug testing, explaining that this is a repetitive task that requires full concentration and in ‘generalists’, this would create reduced focus that could hinder the final outcome.

His business has now been expanded to Scotland and whilst in Australia in September this year for the Asia Pacific Autism Conference, Sonne said that the idea may be replicated in Australia which he said could generate at least 100 jobs.

Sonne says “The term disability often overshadows the abilities that are typically there, somewhere. You just have to find them."

To view the original story, click here - http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/businessman-happy-he-hired-the-disabled-20090821-es9m.html

I think it’s great to have an entrepreneur who isn’t afraid to hire someone who is seen as ‘different’, it definitely shows that you can’t underestimate what someone with a disability can do. There should be more high profile business people who take chances like that of Mr Sonne, it can pay off to be the best decision you could ever make.

Would You Want To Work For $1.50 Per Hour?

Today’s blog is about sheltered workshops, for those who don’t know, these are organizations that specifically hire people with disabilities to work together in various types of workplaces. The employer only hires people with disabilities to perform duties that an able bodied person could do, but at a fraction of the cost. Employees are able to work whilst still keeping their full benefits from the government.

Most positions involve working in factories, assembling pallets with machinery and packaging of products. These workshops are away from the rest of the community so they don’t give disabled people interaction with the rest of society. This is important as it helps able bodied people get a better knowledge of people with disabilities and it helps the person with a disability learn how to interact with the rest of society.

I know about sheltered workshops firsthand, when I was about 19, I was unemployed and couldn’t find another job anywhere. I saw an ad in the local paper wanting disabled people to work for them. I called them, and an interview was organized.

With my extensive training back ground and previous role in computer skills and reception, I wanted to pursue this field. They said they had a receptionist position for me.

As it was a sheltered workshop type position, it was funded by the government, so I was only going to be paid $1.50 per hour, it worked out to be about $40 dollars a week. This was a huge drop in pay compared to what I was used to.

Because I desperately wanted to work, I said I would do it and look at it as if I were getting work experience. I stated that I would only do it for 3 months maximum, and if they were happy with my work, they could hire me as a ‘normal’ employer, they agreed so I started straight away.

After the three months, I approached them a few times about our agreement but was always told a different story as to why they couldn’t promote me, so I continued to receive $1.50 per hour. As compensation for not being promoted to a full time average wage employee as we agreed, they gave me a pay rise of 8 cents an hour.

I think places like this should be shut down, they take advantage of people who, with a bit of time and patience, are quite capable of working in the same roles as most people.

Despite my years of TAFE training and previous employment in reception roles, I felt demeaned and was treated as if I didn’t know any better and feel I was exploited. I am a very hard worker and put everything I had into my role even though I was getting paid a laughable amount of money.

Their whole idea of paying such a low wage in sheltered workshops, is so those who receive the Disability Support Pension, can work but not have their benefits affected. A lot of people don’t know that they can work on the DSP and still receive approx $65 a week, if they work more than that, it only gets affected quite minimally. As long as the person on the newer type of DSP is working 15 hours or less a week, their pension will still remain.

I have included a video of a sheltered workshop that operates in America, to watch it, click here http://www.schooltube.com/video/461/Sheltered-Workshop - it is set up very similar to that of the ones that are run in Australia.

Can NOVA Help You?

NOVA Employment doesn't only help people with serious physical and intellectual disabilities, but they also do great work with sufferers of mental illness such as, but not limited to; bi-polar and depression.

This is a video testimonial of one of NOVA’s clients – Christine, who suffers from bi-polar disorder.
Christine and her new employer, Eva, talk about her new job as a merchandiser with Nature’s Plant Logistics near Windsor.

She started off working one day a week and now works three days a week in a job that she loves. With the help of her Employment Consultant, Darren, she has been supported through her role and now has the confidence to work independently.

She talks about how other employers in the past, had found it hard to understand mental illness and it had made her uncertain about working with new employers. But with the assistance of Darren, the staff at Nature’s Plant Logistics understand her needs and can accommodate her accordingly.

Take a look at this video by clicking this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=735yOFYcCzE -, it shows just one of NOVA’s many happy clients, who have been matched to a job that suits them perfectly, one they may have not been able to get into on their own.

A fair go for the disabled

I feel terrible for this blind man who was in the Parramatta Sun newspaper on Wednesday the 15th July 2009. He says he has a range of experience in Office and Call Centre Customer Service positions but because of his blindness, he continues to be knocked back and no one will hire him, despite an offer of government assistance.

I personally know how he feels to be discriminated against because of a disability. I once applied for a job as a receptionist but didn't tell them I was in a wheelchair. I got to the interview stage but when the manager called me for an interview, I inquired if there were stairs as I was in a wheelchair. Before I could explain that I am fully independant and drive ect, he said the job would not be suitable for me. Even though I clearly qualified from my skills.

It's hard to stay positive when there are constantly things that knock you down. People need to be made aware of people with disabilities and their willingness work and to do whatever it takes to be treated like an equal.

To view the story in full, click on the heading - 'A fair go for the disabled'