A LEADING Worcester company director has called for more city businesses to recognise the benefits of employing adults with autism following an event at the University of Worcester.
Ben Wallace, director of drpdigital, took centre stage at the event which raised awareness of neural diversity, or neurodiversity, which describes those in the population who have a different thinking process to those who are neurotypical.
The event was aimed to help bring a better understanding of how this can be acknowledged and aided within workplaces.
Over the last 12 months, the company has been collaborating with local charity ASPIE which is a social self-help and motivation group for adults who have Asperger’s Syndrome, alongside the National Autistic Society, a leading charity for autistic people and their families, to help provide workshops, tours and work experiences to young adults and adults with autism in the Midlands area.
The team has championed the approached which has led to Fergus Tranter joining on a paid part-time basis.
“Myself and the team recognise how impactful diverse thinking patterns can be and our local businesses need to be aware of this and how to support adults with autism getting into employment.
“The event itself was a great success and I look forward to hearing how other businesses get involved in the future,” he said.
Coun Adrian Hardman, cabinet member for adult social care for Worcestershire County Council, said: “We understand by hiring people who have diverse thinking patterns, our organisations can greatly benefit from and improve their creative output and innovative impact.”
