Employment of people with autism
Mgr. Mária Kopčíková
Schools (secondary, practical) should cooperate with employers in educating pupils with special needs. However, there are still many employers who are afraid to employ people with disabilities. Usually, the cause of fear is the low level of awareness of the possibilities of state support for the employment of a disabled worker.
Integrating people with autism into the work process is, as far as possible, very important. The system of assisted work seems appropriate method.
In Slovakia, the issue is regulated by the Employment Services Act (No. 5/2004 Z.z.). This law defines both the working environment and the relations of legal parties. The law also defines the financial support that can be received by the employers, work assistants or the workers themselves.
People with ASD are often employed in sheltered workshops or sheltered workplaces
Asheltered workshop is a workplace where more than one workplace for an individual with a disability is established and where at least 50% of employees are individuals with a disability.
A sheltered workplace is a workplace for an individual with a disability, and the workplace is not created in a sheltered workshop. A workplace where an individual with a disability carries out a self-employed activity is also considered a sheltered workplace. A sheltered workplace can also be established in the household of a citizen with a disability.
The employment of a person with ASD should be preceded by relevant individual training. Employment should be followed by a provision of a long-term support on the workplace, through so-called work assistant.
The Office of Labor, Social Affairs and Family can provide financial support for the employment of an adult with ASD:
- Support for establishment of a sheltered workshop or sheltered workplace (for an employer);
- Support for keeping an individual with a disability in employment – § 56a;
- Support for an individual with a disability for self – employment – § 57;
- Support for the activity of a work assistant – § 59;
- Support to cover the operating costs of a sheltered workshop or sheltered workplace and to cover the costs of transporting employees (for an employer) – § 60