The aim of this article is to present a conceptual and implementation model for supporting autistic people in higher education, in their transition to the labour market and in employment, and to assess how work processes and human resources (HR) practices can be redesigned to make this support effective. The Erasmus+ In4Aut project “Integration programme for people with autism” is used as a case study, on the basis of project documents, the five modules of the In4Aut course and the In4Aut support portal. The starting point is that the barriers experienced by autistic people stem not solely from individual functional characteristics but largely from the mismatch between educational, recruitment and organisational environments and neurodivergent cognitive profiles. The article discusses the theoretical foundations of the project (neurodiversity paradigm, social model of disability, person–environment fit, double empathy) and situates them in the current European and Italian regulatory context, including the European Accessibility Act, the Italian disability reform and the EU rules on artificial intelligence in recruitment. It then examines the project’s outputs and course modules in relation to key HR processes such as recruitment and selection, onboarding, task design, performance appraisal and retention, and discusses the role of the portal as an instrument for supporting autistic workers and employers. On this basis, an original 5P model of neuro-inclusive transition is proposed: understanding, design, preparation, transition and measurement (from the Polish names of the stages), together with a set of output, outcome and impact indicators for assessing effectiveness. The article argues that effective inclusion requires not only awareness but a systemic redesign of procedures, work processes and HR practices, supported by digital tools and evaluated over time.
Towards a Neuro-Inclusive Labour Market: The Regulatory and Policy Context, Effective Work Processes, Inclusive HR Practices and Digital Support through the In4Aut Portal
Nunzio Casalino
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2026-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this article is to present a conceptual and implementation model for supporting autistic people in higher education, in their transition to the labour market and in employment, and to assess how work processes and human resources (HR) practices can be redesigned to make this support effective. The Erasmus+ In4Aut project “Integration programme for people with autism” is used as a case study, on the basis of project documents, the five modules of the In4Aut course and the In4Aut support portal. The starting point is that the barriers experienced by autistic people stem not solely from individual functional characteristics but largely from the mismatch between educational, recruitment and organisational environments and neurodivergent cognitive profiles. The article discusses the theoretical foundations of the project (neurodiversity paradigm, social model of disability, person–environment fit, double empathy) and situates them in the current European and Italian regulatory context, including the European Accessibility Act, the Italian disability reform and the EU rules on artificial intelligence in recruitment. It then examines the project’s outputs and course modules in relation to key HR processes such as recruitment and selection, onboarding, task design, performance appraisal and retention, and discusses the role of the portal as an instrument for supporting autistic workers and employers. On this basis, an original 5P model of neuro-inclusive transition is proposed: understanding, design, preparation, transition and measurement (from the Polish names of the stages), together with a set of output, outcome and impact indicators for assessing effectiveness. The article argues that effective inclusion requires not only awareness but a systemic redesign of procedures, work processes and HR practices, supported by digital tools and evaluated over time.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
