German Software Giant Announces Decision to Target Individuals Living With Autism When Hiring

German software firm SAP announced its decision Monday to hire more people with autism as software testers, programmers and data quality assurance specialists.

In doing so, the company has teamed up with the Denmark-based Specialisterne, which has long worked to employ those with autism in technology-oriented jobs.

The decision, according to a press release issued by SAP, is designed to leverage “the unique talents of people with autism,” and represents a significant step in the redefinition of the condition from a disability to, at least in some cases, an ability.

“We are very excited by this opportunity to enable SAP global access to a huge pool of untapped talent and, therefore, help strengthen SAP’s position as a global leader in innovation,” Thorkil Sonne, founder of Specialisterne, said, further stating that SAP is the first multinational company to partner with it on a global scale.

SAP's announcement comes after successful pilot projects in India and Ireland that both positively demonstrated the ability of those with autism to excel in their areas of strength, including the thesting of the company’s Business Suite applciations.

As a result of the pilots, SAP stated, “the team has increased their productivity and cohesiveness in key areas.”

“By concentrating on the abilities that every talent brings to the table, we can redefine the way we manage diverse talents,” said Luisa Delgado, member of the Executive Board of SAP AG, Human Resources. “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.”