Equal employment opportunities

Specialisterne is internationally recognised as the first and foremost example of how highly functioning people with autism can become effectively integrated in society and provide valuable, high quality services to their employers. The model has the flexibility to fit local culture and community in cooperation with local stakeholders.

Specialisterne is internationally recognised as the first and foremost example of how highly functioning people with autism can become effectively integrated in society and provide valuable, high quality services to their employers. Specialisterne is the first global company established to meet the special requirements of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to let them use their special skills to provide quality services for the corporate sector on market terms. Based on over nine years of pioneering experience and knowledge, Specialisterne is used as the platform for enhancing and generalising a business model that is generally implementable in different cultures and welfare systems within the EU and elsewhere in the world. The different Specialisterne operations around the world use the characteristics of people with autism as a competitive advantage, and as a means to help people with autism secure employment. At Specialisterne, people with autism work in an environment where they are presented with the best possible opportunities to reach their potential. At Specialisterne, not fitting in is a good thing. The traits that usually exclude people with autism from the labour market are the very traits that make them valuable employees at Specialisterne, such as attention to detail, zero tolerance for errors and a persistence to get the job done. The model has the flexibility to fit local culture and community in a close cooperation with local stakeholders.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

In Denmark Specialisterne hires: 20 people as staff and management 38 people with ASD as consultants 20 people (18+ years) with ASD as trainees 38 people (16–25 years) with ASD as students

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

Specialisterne was established in Denmark. It currently operates in the following locations around the globe: Scotland, Iceland, Austria, Switzerland, Minnesota (USA) and Delaware (USA). The model will be implemented soon in Poland (official launch planned for October 2012), Germany, Ireland, Colorado (USA), North Dakota (USA), Alberta (Canada) and Singapore.