| In 2004 there were currently 7 million | | | | doesn't mind answering my questions. |
| disabled people of employment age in the | | | | "I am hard-working, punctual, and |
| UK, but less than 3.5 million of them | | | | friendly with good observation skills |
| are working. | | | | that could benefit a company within the |
| Seventy-percent of working age Americans | | | | security sector or involved with quality |
| with disabilities are unemployed. | | | | testing. I have been a football steward |
| Finding jobs is not easy. | | | | for three years and am used to reacting |
| A number of not-for-profit organizations | | | | and communicate in sometimes difficult |
| are trying to help. They advised | | | | circumstances in a calm and responsible |
| employers to be more open-minded about | | | | manner." |
| disabled people. | | | | "I would like someone to trust me |
| Rodbourne based "Working for | | | | sufficiently to give me a reasonable |
| Opportunities" (WfO) says preconception | | | | work trial to prove my capabilities in |
| makes life hard for people like Rebecca | | | | filling a known or planned vacancy." |
| Davies that has Asperger's Syndrome. She | | | | The positive side of people with |
| works as a steward at the County Ground. | | | | Asperger's Syndrome is that they make |
| The interview process disadvantages her | | | | good employees. In the workplace people |
| although Rebecca has a wide range of | | | | with Asperger's Syndrome like structure |
| skills that get interviews. She thinks | | | | and routine in employment, are punctual, |
| her disability usually gives a false | | | | can work alone, are meticulous, pay |
| impression of her. Rebecca compares the | | | | great attention to detail, take pride in |
| formal interview with a climb on Mount | | | | their work, and can handle repetitive |
| Everest. | | | | tasks. |
| "I am very good at learning new things | | | | More agencies need to focus their |
| and I like following clear instructions | | | | attention on Asperger Syndrome and on |
| and procedures shown to me by an | | | | ways of assisting people find |
| understanding person who is patient and | | | | employment. |