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1. Introduction

In recent years, Autism-focused NGOs, researchers, therapists, and socially

responsible enterprises in the EU hospitality sector have advocated for the expansion
of early-life interventions supporting individuals with Autism. These interventions

should evolve into long-term initiatives that support individuals throughout their

employment cycle and life. Within the hospitality industry, the percentage of Autistic

individuals employed full-time remains exceptionally low with little to no research to
provide the data necessary to offer detailed insights into challenges and issues they

face on a larger scale. General market research across the EU indicates that those

who are employed and are on the autism spectrum, often hold minimum-wage
positions with little opportunity for career progression. Barriers to sustained

employment in the hospitality sector for Autistic individuals include:

• Limited access to vocational education and training specific to hospitality roles.
• Communication challenges.

• Prejudices about Autism within the industry and the society in general.

• Limited understanding of Autism among employers and peers.
• Lack of Autism-friendly job descriptions and tailored roles in hospitality settings.

• Work environments not conducive to Autism-specific needs.

• Insufficient organisational resources dedicated to long-term support.

These barriers can be mitigated by equipping hospitality employers with vocational

training that provides the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to support Autistic

employees effectively throughout a structured and comprehensive employment cycle.

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Project Number 2023-1-IT01-KA220-VET-000152721