Employment support for Autistic people
If you are Autistic you can ask your employer for any reasonable adjustments, you may need to complete application forms and to prepare for and attend interviews.
Finding a job
Whether you want to continue with Further or Higher Education, enter a training or apprenticeship programme, the Careers Service has a range of advice and information that can help you.
For advice and information go to:
- Finding a job
- Careers
- FE Colleges NI
- Universities and colleges in Northern Ireland
- Training programmes available
- Apprenticeships
- Skills for Life and Work
Identifying your skills
When applying for jobs you will need to clearly identify your skills and abilities to have the best chance of success. Information on this, including the skills that employers are looking for to meet today’s demands is available at:
Work experience
If you feel that your skills are underdeveloped or you are considering changing jobs, the Work Experience programme can help you gain the experience you need to get a job.
Information on the Work Experience programme is available at:
Volunteering
Volunteering is another useful way to gain skills and experience in a workplace that could help you find work in the future.
Information on volunteering is available at:
Completing job applications
Job applications and CVs are often the first point of contact with a potential employer and your chance to make a good first impression. For information and advice on job application forms, letters and CVs go to:
CV Builder
An online tool is also available to help you create your CV at:
Job interviews
Job interviews allow employers to decide if you are suitable for the job they have to offer. Successful candidates will be those who sell themselves well to prospective employers. There are different types of job interviews across a range of formats.
For information on the different types of job interview go to:
Once you have been offered a job interview, the key to success is to prepare properly for the job interview. A lot of job interviews follow a similar process
For information on how to prepare for a job interview, what to expect and what to avoid during an interview go to:
Deciding whether to tell employers you are autistic
Whether you decide to tell or not tell you are Autistic during job recruitment is a personal decision. You are not legally obliged to tell potential employers during the recruitment process or after getting a job.
Some Autistic people may decide that they will be understood better and get the support they need by saying they have autism.However, other people have reported facing stigma, being treated differently and not receiving support.
For further information on this go to:
Support to help keep you in a job
Support is available for people with disabilities who want to work, or who are in work and have experienced trouble related to their disability.
Access to Work (NI)
The Access to Work (NI) programme can help people in this situation.
Information about Access to Work (NI) is available at:
Workable (NI)
Workable (NI) is a programme offering a range of long-term support to help those with disabilities who have barriers to employment keep work.
Find out more about Workable (NI) at:
Employment rights
People with disabilities have the same employment rights as other employees.
It is unlawful for employers to discriminate against jobseekers or employees with disabilities.
Information on disability discrimination law and employment rights is available at:
Support in work
Employers should not discriminate against employees with disabilities in offering or giving training. Employers also must make reasonable changes to make training accessible.
Information on support in work for people with disabilities is available at: