PROfessionals PRO friendships

Osoba fizyczna

Transfer HUB [2019-2023]

Model organizacyjny

Girls and women with Asperger's syndrome experience systemic discrimination, i.e. by having limited access to education and the labor market due to their gender and disability. They often have jobs below their qualifications, they suffer from depression and other mental disorders and they do not meet unforgiving social expectations. Employers do not know the needs of people with Asperger's syndrome as they often do not seek employment. PROfessionals PRO friendships addresses the problem of low self-esteem and sense of agency of girls and women with Asperger's syndrome which prevents or hinders them from finding and holding a job suited to their qualifications.

The innovation intends to strengthen the self-confidence of young women with Asperger's syndromeso that they would be able to manage their personal lives and find employment. The innovation utilizes mentoring and befriending – the mentor and the mentee build a relationship to empower the woman and help her find and keep a position in line with her qualifications. Both the mentor and the mentee are individuals with Asperger's syndrome. The mentor-mentee relationship should focus on identifying strengths, developing the mentee's professional and social skills and preparing her for the recruitment process (or starting her own business) and for a job. The relationship empowers the recipients and fosters their personal development. Its duration should be at least five months, but a longer relationship is also possible, depending on the needs of the participant. The duration of the relationship, the number of face-to-face meetings (meetings via Skype or other online tools are also possible) and the specific rules for the cooperation are agreed upon by the mentor and the participant at the first meeting.

Young women with Asperger’s syndrome.

Mentors are women with Asperger's syndrome who have worked for at least five years in a position suited to their skills and interests; – organizations and institutions supporting women on the autism spectrum; – Businesses employing women on the autism spectrum.

Career support model for girls and women with Asperger’s syndrome

Six mentor-mentee pairs took part in the innovation tests. After five months of mentoring relationships, not only did the participants received support in finding a job in line with their interests and qualifications, but they have also improved, among other things, their social skills. The tests have proven that adult women with Asperger’s syndrome have benefited socially and professionally from the mentoring relationship which utilised the model PROfessionals PRO friendships. As a result of the tests, 2 participants found jobs, 1 participant decided to start her own business, 1 participant was prepared for an internship in a profession she was interested in, 1 participant qualified for an internship, 3 participants attended job interviews during the innovation trial.

Zdecydowanie pozytywna

Zdecydowanie pozytywna

Tak

Mentors – women with Asperger's syndrome who have worked for at least five years in a position suited to their skills and interests; A person supervising the mentors.

(Physical or online) space for the mentor and mentee to meet and talk freely.