TOV and Arvato Collaborate to Bring Individuals with Autism into the Workforce

Tohum Autism Foundation and Arvato Logistics signed a cooperation protocol today to implement a project aimed at integrating individuals with autism into working life. Through this project, individuals with autism will be employed within Arvato Logistics.

With the project aimed at increasing the participation of autistic individuals in working life and enabling them to succeed in the workplace, Arvato Logistics is beginning to implement the 'Supported Employment Model' within the company, which facilitates the adaptation process of individuals with autism and supports their participation in the workforce. Through the project implemented by Tohum Autism Foundation and Arvato Logistics, the parties aim not only to support the participation of autistic individuals in working life but also to raise social awareness and contribute to creating a more inclusive business world.

According to data from Turkey's Employment Agency (İŞKUR) for the period January-July 2024, 23,192 individuals with disabilities were placed in employment. Looking at 2024 employment records, of 91 autistic individuals registered with İŞKUR, 27 are in the workforce while 64 are seeking employment. Considering that an estimated 1.5 million autistic individuals aged 18 and over live in the country, the potential here will create value for the national workforce.

Since 2010, the Foundation has consolidated its work on employing individuals with autism under the Tohum Autism Foundation Autism Career Centre initiative, launched in March, aiming to manage and expand the employment processes for autistic individuals more effectively.

Within the scope of the project implemented with Arvato Logistics, the Tohum Autism Foundation Autism Career Centre initiallybegan the collaboration by conducting a comprehensive job analysis within the company. Following this, job coaches who will work within the company will receive comprehensive training for two months to facilitate adjustments suited to the needs of autistic individuals and to ease their adaptation to work. After the training period, Tohum Autism Foundation will provide on-site consultancy services within one year to facilitate adjustments suited to the needs of autistic individuals and to ease their work adaptation. Arvato Logistics will conduct autism awareness initiatives for employees. Through all these preparation processes, a productive working environment will be created where autistic individuals feel comfortable at work.

More Opportunities for Individuals with Autism

Tohum Autism Foundation President Aylin Sezgin stated, "This collaboration with Arvato Logistics is an important step in bringing autistic individuals into working and social life after completing their education. As more such projects are carried out, more autistic individuals will have the opportunity to participate in working life and become independent adults."

Arvato Logistics General Manager Umur Özkal said, "Following the comprehensive two-month training process that our job coaches will receive, we aim to employ a total of four autistic individuals. Within the framework of our company's diversity, equality and inclusion policies, we attach importance to offering this opportunity to autistic individuals, and we are very pleased to serve as an example to our sector and all companies operating in other sectors. We believe that greater participation of autistic individuals in the business world will add value both to employers and to the working environment."

About Tohum Autism Foundation 

Tohum Turkey Autism Early Diagnosis and Education Foundation was established on 15 April 2003 with the mission of pioneering early diagnosis of children with "Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)", their special education and integration into society, and expanding this nationwide. In addition to children, young people and families with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, training and projects are provided by specialists in their respective fields for other children requiring special education, young people and families receiving services in inclusive settings. The Private Tohum Autism Foundation Special Education School is a branch of the Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) in the United States and has been providing education since 2006. The intensive special education services provided at the Private Tohum Foundation Special Education Practice School are based on the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) model, which has a history spanning over 70 years in many countries, particularly in the United States. To date, the school has provided education to 2,565 children and scholarship support to 1,195 children.

Tohum Autism Foundation closely followed the "Supported Employment Model" launched by the Princeton Child Development Institute (PCDI) in 1986 and implemented this model in Turkey. In 2010, with a grant from Istanbul Development Agency and in cooperation with the Istanbul National Education Directorate, it established the first and only vocational school of its kind in Turkey. In 2013, it developed a "Work and Life Curriculum" for autistic young people, in 2014 it launched an internship program and enabled part-time employment of autistic individuals. Since 2018, the Foundation has implemented full-time employment projects, and in March 2024 established the "Tohum Autism Foundation Autism Career Centre". To date, job coaches have been trained for three different companies in the logistics, retail, finance, pharmaceutical and food sectors, and a total of 23 autistic individuals have been placed in employment.