I don't know microsoft is going but i can say that this might just give MS a upper hand in every section because they can now design another line of products just design products for these type of people.
"The tech giant is to start by offering 10 places on a pilot scheme based at its Redmond headquarters.
Senior executive Mary Ellen Smith said: "People with autism bring strengths that we need at Microsoft."
Awesome maybe I can get a job... Probably not. Its not clear the type of people they are looking for but with only 10 places in this pilot scheme I imagine they are looking for specificly bright people on the autistic spectrum.
Its notable thought that they do say they want to or are looking to higher people in general with disabilities.
I'm also curious now does the US have laws protecting people with disabilities from discrimination in regards to getting jobs?
they want to be able to say they have autistic people working there for whatever reason. Clearly its a PR thing, they'll find people in the most shallow end of the spectrum, hire them, and then say "hey, we make the effort to hire people who are autistic!" This kind of stuff is just stupid. It's good there's autistic people in tech, and we should let them know that it shouldn't, and doesn't hold them back is good, but to hire someone not primarily based on their skill. but on their disability is almost patronizing.
Agreed. If they were going to do anything I think they should have done a we will hire anyone even if your disabled if you can do the job, come along to our job fair thing, and recruited on talent than the usual process which at least in the UK isnt always suited for out of norm people.
Or even an ad campaign. Like for example, gather the employees they already have that are autistic/minorities and have a whole entire "encouragement thing. It's kinda funny how all these companies and schools reserve special spaces for women and minorities and go on special hiring campaigns that make it easier for them to get the job than someone who has more qualification. the only racial/gendered group that doesn't get hiring campaigns tailored to them straight white men.
Apple should follow suit and hire a bunch of dyslexic people. That way MS has autistic developers, Apple has dyslexic developers and Linux gets to stick with Neckbeards, tinfoil and wizards. And tons of code monkies in all areas. Now all I need is some one to be hiring a neurotic insomniac with ADHD and depression and I'm good.
I don't see it as a problem. Autism is not something that is essentially bad (there are many types of autism most do not impact and people are unaware of it), and outside appearance doesn't define a person.
Computer companies do know that outside appearance doesn't matter, it is the skill those people have, and are able to accomplish.
I see it as a big + if they are going to hire those people in long time positions, because those people are of very critical and black/white thinking. If you are able to show them publicly that they did something wrong against other people you might accomplish far more than from some microsoft exec, as those people will follow it through the end, and will make sure to have it done, or be fired. (then we will hear about it)
I think this is awesome, but at the a company shouldn't put down those who are more specialized for that job jusst to look good. I'm personally legally blind (320/20 in right eye 1600/20 in the left (yes 1600/20 or 400/5 if you will)), and can do anything any sighted person could wiith assistive technology thus at the same time I shouldn't be turned down due to my disability alone, but rather my skill. I stil think it's ironic that KDE and GNOME have better font rendering in terms of magnifaction than every Windows release... (one of the many reasons I use Linux to begin with)
As someone who ranks on the autistic spectrum I find it a bit patronizing, like because I'm autistic i wouldn't have the chance without this so they have to help me. It's almost like a free pass to anyone with the skills or close enough. Instead of me knowing I was better than everyone else who applied to such a large company such as Microsoft, I just got an easy ride in. It's not fair to people who work hard and set goals to work in certain industries, only to be told that your competitor gets in not primarily on work skill but on something that in this case they lucked out on.
right, it doesn't matter, these people aren't at any huge disadvantages when trying to enter the tech industry, so why run a hiring campaign?
I'm rather cynical about it, but it's just so out of the blue and awkward; if a giant company like Microsoft truly NEEDED to add autistic people to their ranks why only 10? In 2013 there was over 99,000 employees, why not 50? 100? It will most likely disappear and be forgotten. But hey, I'll eat my words if we ever hear about this expanding or becoming bigger.