The following press release was issued on September 16, 2015 by DirectEmployers partner, Autism Speaks.
Expanding access to one million job postings for people with disabilities
TheSpectrumCareers.com, the employment website for people with autism and other disabilities, will vastly expand its list of opportunities, adding more than one million positions with hundreds of companies nationwide. The ambitious project not only helps job seekers but also gives employers a direct pipeline to an untapped pool of talent and promotes a more inclusive workplace. TheSpectrumCareers.com was created through a partnership between Autism Speaks, the world’s largest autism science and advocacy organization; Rangam Consultants Inc., a specialist in staffing for Fortune 500 clients; and the site’s builder, WebTeam Corporation, developers of cutting edge technological solutions for autism. That alliance grows even more robust thanks to a new collaboration with DirectEmployers Association, a leader in solutions for federal contractor compliance and recruitment marketing.
An estimated 85 percent of adults with autism are unemployed or underemployed. Each year in the United States, 50,000 young people with autism spectrum disorder reach adulthood, but few are able to find jobs that match their capabilities and strengths. In fact, a young man with autism is the lead project developer of TheSpectrumCareers.com.
Launched in April 2015, TheSpectrumCareers website and app allow candidates to search for jobs by keywords and geographic location, then apply for positions that best match their skills, education, experience and interests. Candidates and employers can customize their searches, connect with job coaches and other support services, or submit a video resume that enables a candidate to demonstrate a job-related skill for a prospective employer. “The job portal allows them to meet their respective bottom lines in the most efficient manner,” said Nish Parikh, CEO of WebTeam Corporation.
“The business community and job seekers with autism just need a little bit of help getting connected,” said Leslie Long, Autism Speaks’ vice president of adult services. “This alliance enables us to give those candidates access to opportunities with DirectEmployers’ roster of more than 800 world-class businesses.” They include Xerox, Raytheon, Baxter AECOM and many more. Plans call for adding jobs gradually over the course of one year.
“We know there is a high unemployment rate for adults with autism, and we are excited to partner with Autism Speaks and TheSpectrumCareers.com to connect DirectEmployers members with these talented individuals,” said Bill Warren, DirectEmployers’ executive director.
About Autism
Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders – autism spectrum disorders – caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.
About Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of people with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Mr. Wright is the former vice chairman of General Electric and chief executive officer of NBC and NBC Universal. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed $560 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. Each year, Walk Now for Autism Speaks events are held in nearly 100 cities across North America. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.
About DirectEmployers Association
DirectEmployers is a nonprofit member-owned and managed association formed in 2001 by 14 leading Fortune 500 companies searching for a way to reduce recruiting costs, while regaining ownership of their recruitment brand. Through collaboration with these individuals, DirectEmployers developed a proprietary technology that has since led to the creation of our flagship product – a federal contractor compliance solution that assists with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program’s (OFCCP) VEVRAA mandatory listing requirements and Section 503 regulations. Now with over 800 employers varying in industry and size, we’ve expanded our member benefits to include customizable recruitment marketing solutions, the Partner Relationship Manager (PRM), networking and educational opportunities, and so much more.
About Rangam Consultants Inc.
Rangam is among the fastest-growing staffing companies that support contingent workforce programs for Fortune 500 clients of managed service providers. Equipped with cutting edge technologies that align with VMS applications, Rangam serves industries such as Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences, Telecommunications, Energy & Utilities, Hi-Tech & Information Technology, Financial & Insurance, Manufacturing & Retail, and Consumer Products & Food, among others. The firm has more than 300 employees working in ten business offices spread across North America, Europe and Asia. Rangam donates money and resources to health care and special education service providers worldwide. The company’s social responsibility programs include helping individuals with special needs find suitable employment opportunities.
About WebTeam Corporation
Winner of the $500,000 Verizon Powerful Answers Award, WebTeam Corporation is leading the way technology, education and health care industries work toward improving people’s lives. WebTeam has developed TheSpectrumCareers.com, ColorsKit, EARLYThree, Jannya and Hekxo. For more about Rangam and WebTeam, please email sayantan@rangam.com or call 908-704-8843, extension 344.
