New Google Program to Hire People with ASD

More and more companies are making a step in the right direction towards creating a more diverse workplace. Among these companies is Google, which this year launched a new career program focused on the initiative of hiring more people with autism, titled the Google Cloud’s Autism Career Program.

Google is working in collaboration with the Stanford Neurodiversity Project, a service that provides employers with ways to enhance neurodiversity in the workplace.

Not only will Google be actively seeking to hire people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but they are changing the interview process as well. According to a blog post written by the president of Google Cloud, Rob Enslin, candidates may be given the interview questions in advance, be able to do a written interview, or be given extra time. Enslin stated in the post, “These accommodations don’t give those candidates an unfair advantage. It’s just the opposite: They remove an unfair disadvantage so candidates have a fair and equitable chance to compete for the job.”

Enslin also shared in the blog post that only 29% of people with autism have paid employment, which he states, “I find this tragic, because individuals with autism can be highly-functioning and contributing professionals in any organization.”

This is a large step in the direction of neurodiversity in the workplace. Hopefully, with a big company such as Google, other businesses will follow and strive for the same inclusivity.