SAP - 5 software dev job openings for people on the spectrum

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Deadline to apply: November 9

I'm trying to spread the word around - there are 5 positions for software developers in Vancouver, Canada. These positions are only open to people on the spectrum. The company is SAP, the German software giant who specializes in enterprise software. They have committed to the "Autism at Work" program, of which I was part of. I was hired through this in 2013 at this same location along with 5 others on the spectrum. SAP is working in collaboration with Specialisterne, a Danish based charity with the sole objective of enabling 1 million jobs for people on the spectrum. Specialisterne's founders and employees often have very personal stories and experiences with autism. Together, they hope to help SAP ensure that 1% of their workforce is comprised of people on the spectrum.

4 of the positions are regular full time employment as junior developers. 1 position is a 12 month intern position, which is ideal if you have no experience in software. I STRONGLY recommend anyone in the area to give this a try, there is NO risk for applying.

There will be a lot of accommodations in the process. The "interview" format won't be the standard Q&A type interview. Your team will be briefed and given training to ease your transition into the role. You will be given lots of support from your manager, the other Autism at Work hires, a designated team buddy, and Specialisterne. There are also workplace accommodations as needed ie. for light sensitivity.

Note that you do not need a degree to apply. You only need to demonstrate roughly equivalent expertise and a strong desire to learn.

There is a video feature of my experiences in Autism at Work. It was created to be presented at theCanucks Autism Gala.

Feel free to ask me any questions if you want to know anything

It seemed like the only job offers for Aspies are in IT. Until now I haven't seen any other field offer work for Aspies and not all Aspies are good at IT or have the means to acquire knowledge in IT/Programming.

I wonder if they will let them work independently, or require team-orientated software design. ASD people probably prefer to work alone.

Also those open cubicles in the video would scare me off, because of the constant new sensory input and no "stimming privacy". And wearing sunglasses would be fine, but that is like wearing a sign "I have autism", better if they just turn down those bright lights some.

Specialisterne in Canada also had partners with a large Canadian bank. This is just what I know about Specialisterne, and in Canada. Opportunities certainly exist.



I actually really like the open cubicles, its great for communication! I suppose I'm far more social than most aspies, though I have no shortage of social impairments (takes a lot of effort to process language, almost 0 body language reading etc.)

There are apparently others in the office who even have an umbrella over their desk as its too bright (afaik not an aspie). Either way, most people wouldn't be able to associate light sensitivity to aspergers, they're generally mutually exclusive, I'd like to think. I found it easier to adapt all the office as I needed with permanently shaded glasses than to somehow magically control lights anywhere I went in the office ..

That is just so cool! And I figure that if SAP wants to hire people on the spectrum, they may be open to discuss accommodations - that sorta goes with the territory.

The better they pay you, the more they are open to getting the most out of your work.

Absolutely. They aren't paying us any less than regular employees, so they aren't just looking for cheap labour.

A heads up - deadline has been extended to November 27. If you haven't signed up then be sure to check it out!