Empowering Inclusion in the Workplace
Resources for autistic adults entering the workforce as well as employers looking for tools to improve their business' neurodiversity and inclusion.
Featured Resources
This guide offers information about requesting accommodations, including ready-to-use templated...
This editable template can be used to support job candidates with essential details to set expectations...
This comprehensive checklist empowers human resource professionals and hiring managers to craft accessible...
Get Involved
Join The Next Connects Mentorship Program
NEXT CONNECTS is a bi-directional mentorship initiative developed by NEXT for AUTISM. The program supports young autistic adults entering the workforce while fostering improved acceptance and inclusion within businesses.
We are recruiting college-level autistic adults and established professionals to participate.
An Inclusive Vision
NEXT for AUTISM believes that everyone deserves to lead a productive and fulfilling life. For many people, that means the opportunity to work. However, work environments are not always conducive to neurodiverse individuals, from the hiring process to supporting and retaining employees.
To help facilitate neurodiversity in the workplace, NEXT, with support from the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation, offers practical, impactful, and ready-to-use resources for businesses and job seekers alike ... as well as a platform for sharing ideas and insights to best support neurodiversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Panel Event
Neurodiverse Hiring and Employment
NEXT for AUTISM and the Ramesh and Kalpana Bhatia Family Foundation hosted an engaging panel discussion, "Removing Barriers to Empower a Neurodiverse Workforce", in Los Angeles in September 2023, to raise awareness about the importance of businesses offering clear and actionable hiring opportunities for neurodivergent adults.
The panel was moderated by NEXT for AUTISM CEO Gillian Leek. The panelists were Patrick Bardsley, Co-founder/CEO, Spectrum Designs, Diane Delaney, Global Diversity & Inclusion Leader, People with Diverse Abilities (PwDA) Community, IBM, Ferose V.R., SVP/Head of SAP Academy for Engineering, SAP, and Jhillika Kumar, CEO/Co-founder, Mentra (pictured above with NEXT co-founder and board chair Laura Slatkin).
Last year's event
Watch the above reel for a quick snapshot of the panel.
Watch the full "Removing Barriers to Empower a Neurodiverse Workforce" panel discussion.
"This is not just DEI, this is also ROI. You are getting bottom line from hiring the world's most diverse thinkers into your organization."
Jhillika Kumar
CEO/Co-founder, Mentra
NEXT CONNECTS: A Mentorship Connection Founded on Business
NEXT CONNECTS is a bi-directional mentorship initiative developed by NEXT for AUTISM. NEXT matches professionals who have established careers with autistic college students who will soon be seeking entry into the workforce. Mentors will provide support as well as collaboratively set personalized mentoring goals...
Gain access to resources
Sign up to be a mentor
Watch panel discussion
