Partnership for Autism-Inclusive Employment Inked

(17 October 2023 -- Pasig, Philippines) The Autism Society Philippines and Grundfos Philippines signed an accord today towards the inclusive and sustained economic empowerment of persons on the autism spectrum through employment.

From left to right: Michelle Dee (ASP Goodwill Ambassador),
Mona Magno-Veluz (Country Manager, ASP Autism Works Program),
Thomas Kjaer Mikkelsen (Country Director, Grundfos)
and Dora Deak (Lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist, Grundfos).

Grundfos, a global leader in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, continues its commitment to be a catalyst of positive change by opening its doors to the largely untapped talent pool of Filipino youth on the autism spectrum. The Autism Society Philippines, through its widely successful ASP Autism Works program, will support Grundfos Philippines towards the creation of autism-inclusive policies, practices, and processes for Filipino talent on the autism spectrum working in roles where their strengths are optimized. ”The ASP and Grundfos Philippines are building an Autism OK-Philippines where Filipinos on the spectrum are accepted, accommodated, and appreciated.” shared Mona Magno-Veluz, the Country Manager of the ASP Autism Works program.

The partnership launch event was kicked off by an inspirational talk by Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee, who is a month away from representing the country. Michelle flexed her psychology education with a conversation on “how to put your best self forward” in a job interview for a group of applicants on the autism spectrum. “I am with the ASP in campaigning for more autism-inclusive employers in the country,” Miss Universe Philippines Michelle Dee shared. “More than charity, young people on the autism spectrum need opportunities to contribute to society and to their families.”

The applicants will be screened through interviews and task assessments -- an innovation of the usual hiring process. Knowing that those on the spectrum often perform poorly in interviews, they will also be given the opportunity to show off their skills in simulations of the work they are applying for. The entire process is expected to take about three weeks.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mona Magno-Veluz (Country Manager, ASP Autism Works Program), Michelle Dee (ASP Goodwill Ambassador) for the Autism Society Philippines and by Thomas Kjaer Mikkelsen (Country Director), Dora Deak (Lead Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Specialist) for Grundfos.

The Autism Society Philippines (ASP) is a national, non-profit organization working towards an environment that empowers persons on the autism spectrum to become the best of their potential -- self-reliant, independent, productive, and socially accepted members of an Autism-OK Philippines. ASP labors to establish institutional mechanisms to support neurodiverse persons and their families. Established in 1989, the organization -- composed of 13,000 members spread over 100 chapters -- has been at the forefront of providing services to families and individuals on the autism spectrum. Find out more: @autismphils on Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Grundfos pioneers solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improves the quality of life for people. As a leading global pump and water solutions company, we promise to respect, protect and advance the flow of water by providing energy and water-efficient solutions and systems for a wide range of applications for water utilities, industries, and buildings. Find out more: grundfos.com

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