Specialisterne works with SAP to get people with autism working
22 May 2013
Global tech giants SAP has announced a partnership with Danish social business Specialisterne, with the organisations working together globally to employ people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists.
Wed, 22 May 2013Global tech giants SAP has announced a partnership with Danish social business Specialisterne, with the organisations working together globally to employ people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists.
Founded in Denmark in 2004, Specialisterne (the name translates as ‘The Specialists’) has worked across Europe and North America. It provides its staff, most of whom have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, to work as consultants for a number of corporates.
The organisation’s partnership has been running as a pilot scheme, with six hires in India seen to date, and a further five in Ireland expected later this year.
Luisa Delgado, HR member of the executive board of SAP, says: “With Specialisterne, we share a common belief that innovation comes from the ‘edges’. Only by employing people who think differently and spark innovation will SAP be prepared to handle the challenges of the 21st century.”
Thorkil Sonne, Specialisterne founder and chair of its parent firm Specialist People Foundation, describes SAP as “the first multinational company to partner with us on a global scale”.
Founded in Denmark in 2004, Specialisterne (the name translates as ‘The Specialists’) has worked across Europe and North America. It provides its staff, most of whom have a diagnosis on the autism spectrum, to work as consultants for a number of corporates.
The organisation’s partnership has been running as a pilot scheme, with six hires in India seen to date, and a further five in Ireland expected later this year.
Luisa Delgado, HR member of the executive board of SAP, says: “With Specialisterne, we share a common belief that innovation comes from the ‘edges’. Only by employing people who think differently and spark innovation will SAP be prepared to handle the challenges of the 21st century.”
Thorkil Sonne, Specialisterne founder and chair of its parent firm Specialist People Foundation, describes SAP as “the first multinational company to partner with us on a global scale”.
