Digital Smarts - Special Needs, Technology and Job Prospects
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New research shows that students with intellectual disabilities such as Down Syndrome or autism have unique strengths that make them ideal for some technology jobs. Giving students with cognitive disabilities access to technology training can improve their learning and post-graduation job prospects, say experts like Michele McKeone whose startup, Digitability, has developed an online curriculum that teaches technical skills. Companies such as Microsoft and SAP are beginning to look at the strengths, rather than focusing on the weaknesses, of individuals on the autism spectrum. The companies have begun tailoring their job applications and hiring practices to recruit people with autism who have technical skills their companies need, but may never have made it through the interview process.