OBJECTIVES: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are marginalized and under-represented within the workplace, as exemplified by poor employment outcomes relative to others with and without disability. This has negative impacts on individual and family quality of life as well as on labour market productivity due to a substantial gap in the potential labour supply. To address these gaps, aims of this project are: (a) to develop a national 'promising practice' learning network of committed, engaged and integrated stakeholders, (b) to create a sustainable infrastructure via the development of an ASD employment database for outcome measurement and ultimate capacity building, and (c) to conduct gender analysis and consideration of other social determinants of health, and (d) to illuminate first-hand experiences and priorities related to employment. These aims will be achieved via a mixed method participatory approach among multi-sectoral national partners integrated within a common commitment to improved employment opportunities and outcomes for persons with ASD. METHODS: To achieve these aims and ensure a base for ongoing capacity building, the project will: (i) conduct sessions to initiate a national promising practices network, (ii) implement an environmental scan for identifying salient ASD-relevant variables, including current practices, evaluation metrics and outcomes, (iii) conduct theoretical and analytic analyses of gender and other social determinants of health including health economics, (iv) conduct 'digital storytelling' interviews with persons with ASD to illuminate elements of perceived challenge and success in employment access and retention, and (v) engage the partnership in participatory and capacity-building processes relative to project deliverables. RELEVANCE OF OBJECTIVES TO PARTNERS: Each of the co-applicants, collaborators and partner organizations named in this application are committed to enhanced employment opportunities and outcomes for individuals with ASD. The ambitious partnership aims and activities are achievable thanks to the venerable long-standing commitment of partners who mutually bring varied areas of crucial expertise toward common objectives. Project deliverables of promising practices and network building are centrally important to the partners and offer a unifying element to the network. Most partners are increasingly connected via an alliance of organizations/service provider leaders associated in this sector. Regular network meetings will allow partners from across Canada to explore findings and opportunities both within and across relevant sectors (e.g., self-advocates, families, service providers, government, labour specialists, educators, researchers, employers, etc.). Focused and streamlined communication will invite critical reflection on: (i) needs and strengths within existing systems/resources, (ii) means by which relevant regional, provincial and national systems and resources could improve employment opportunity, and (iii) priorities for moving forward. These activities nurture partner engagement, capacity building, and tangible project/outcome advancement. The approaches undertaken herein envelop methodological appropriateness, theoretical rigor and participatory action principles engendered in community, research and economic development. Accordingly, the connection of partners and their mutual aims and activities are anticipated to ensure the attainment of objectives including partnership sustainability and impact.
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC)
Autism Research Database (AFD)
