World Autism Day 2021 Is Addressing Inclusion Issues In The Workplace

By Wild Ginger

April 2nd, 2021 at 5:43 am

Every year, on April 2nd, World Autism Awareness Day is globally recognised by the United Nations to raise awareness on people with autistic spectrum disorders, including autism and Asperger Syndrome. Member States of the United Nations are urged to provide those on the autism spectrum with the assistance needed to improve their quality of life, so they can lead a meaningful life as an integral part of society.

Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD is a developmental disability that affects the way people communicate and process sensory information. There is no single cause for it, and it varies from person to person in severity and combinations of symptoms.

This year, the theme of World Autism Awareness Day is “Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World“. There is a severe underemployment of adults on the autism spectrum, and on top of these pressing discriminatory hiring practices, those who are employed face challenges in their workplace environments as they don’t provide accessibility for persons with autism or other disabilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has only made these inequalities worse with the loss of hundreds of millions of jobs. To tackle this issue, the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM) has just launched the world’s first Certified E-Commerce Specialist (CES) Level 1 Programme for youths with autism in Malaysia. The specialised training and internship programme aims to empower these youths with skills in digital marketing and E-Commerce, providing new career opportunities for the community.

Although the rate of autism is high worldwide, there is still a lack of understanding, leading to stigmatisation and discrimination, that tremendously impacts these individuals, their families and communities. NASOM is working towards achieving an inclusive society in Malaysia where people with autism can reach their full potential, participate in their communities and lead a meaningful life with dignity.