Would anybody be interested in developing an AS friendly work environment?

[Old Badger]

I have long believed that the worker-owned cooperative system would be ideal for people on the spectrum. Nobody would care if you don't make eye contact.

The first step would be to gather people. We would need to create groups in various cities that could compare skills and develop business plans, or perhaps it could be a business that is run on-line.

Who would be interested?

 

[vickygleitz]

That is something on the agenda for the autistic community within an already existing community in Southern Colorado. Also,divergent labs, and one of it's divisions, the rhizpme program are working on this. I hope to work with them concurrently on both the planned community and Ocate Cliffs.

 

[Atay]

Cool!

 

[Mattymatt]

I have long believed that the worker-owned cooperative system would be ideal for people on the spectrum. Nobody would care if you don't make eye contact.

The first step would be to gather people. We would need to create groups in various cities that could compare skills and develop business plans, or perhaps it could be a business that is run on-line.

Who would be interested?

I would be interested and it would be fantastic to have a business that is ASD and disability friendly, beyond just politically-correct, HR speak. Given that Autism is a spectrum, I'm sure we could find folks to almost perfectly fit a business' individual needs. I do have an idea that we might be able to sell to the cruise line industry. In order to make this happen I would need the following talent: accounting, software engineering, systems engineering, systems installation, sales, marketing, business planning, etc. I would also need people willing to invest the money to make it happen.

 

[SyAn]

Have you heard of Specialisterne? I find it very interesting but they don't operate in many countries. However, having a look at their business model might be useful for anyone interested in ASD friendly work environment.

 

[Andrew206]

I would be interested in this. The U.S. needs more of these kinds of companies.

 

[apsie]

Sounds great.
We've 2 organizations in Belgium (that I know of) that try something similar, however the actual work is dumbed down monotonous bending of curly straws for example, or making cardboard boxes.

 

[paloftoon]

Freddie Mac has an internship program, in McLean, VA, that attempts to hire people on the spectrum.