SAP Labs India has announced a recruitment drive as part of its global “Autism at Work” initiative which focuses on individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This announcement is in line with SAP’s aim to employ by 2020, one percent of its workforce with people affected by ASD. Currently, five individuals with Autism work at SAP Labs India and an additional five would be hired by the end of 2014. Including India, SAP locations in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Germany and Brazil will employ around 60 ASD colleagues by the end of 2014.
The announcement follows successful pilots in India where SAP Labs India worked with Specialisterne, an internationally recognized leader in harnessing the talents of people with Autism, to work in technology-oriented jobs such as software testing, programming and data management.
“Innovation stems from a diverse and inclusive work environment which we pride ourselves for at SAP Labs India”, said Bhuvaneswar Naik, Head of HR, SAP India. “Through our Autism at Work initiative, we aim to leverage on the unique talent of the disabled and provide them meaningful employment.”
At SAP, an inclusive and diverse environment promotes a culture that enables employees to find innovative solutions to challenges facing customers as well as society as a whole. Employee volunteers of SAP Labs India, Autism Society of India and Spastics Society of India, initiated Project Prayas to focus on learning, cognition and communication, three main areas among children who are diagnosed with Autism. They have also developed applications on the iOS and Android platforms to help children with ASD to learn and communicate.
