Building a More Inclusive Future: The AsIAm Autism Accessible Employer Charter in Partnership with the Insurance Ireland Inclusion Taskforce
A New Chapter in Inclusion for the Insurance Industry.
In a landmark move towards greater inclusivity, Insurance Ireland has partnered with AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, to launch the Autism Accessible Employer Charter. This initiative is part of a broader commitment by Insurance Ireland’s Inclusion Taskforce to focus on Neurodivergency, Disability, and Generational Diversity throughout 2024 and 2025.
The Charter is designed to help insurance companies create workplaces where Autistic people can thrive. With up to 85% of Autistic people in Ireland unemployed or underemployed, this initiative aims to break down barriers and unlock untapped talent across the industry.
What Is the Autism Accessible Employer Charter?
The Charter provides a framework for Insurance Ireland member companies to:
Develop tailored action plans with AsIAm’s support.
Commit to autism-friendly recruitment practices.
Create an Autism Inclusive Employee Lifecycle
Participate in annual data collection to track progress.
These steps are guided by six core principles, including enabling full workplace participation, eliminating accessibility barriers, and fostering allyship and career progression for Autistic employees.
Why It Matters
AsIAm CEO Adam Harris put it best:
“Too often, Autistic people face invisible barriers that prevent them from accessing and thriving in employment. This Charter empowers companies to create workplaces where Autistic talent is not just welcomed but valued.”
Insurance Ireland CEO Moyagh Murdock echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of removing barriers to employment and the opportunity to enrich workplaces with diverse perspectives.
Support for Employers
To make this change more accessible, the Department of Social Protection offers Disability Awareness Training Grants that cover up to 90% of the cost of AsIAm’s training programmes. This makes it easier for companies of all sizes to get involved:
Small companies (<50 employees): €1,000
Medium companies (50–five hundred): €4,000
Large companies (>500): €7,000
Learn more about the grant scheme here.
Promoting the Charter at the 14th Autism Europe International Congress
From September 11–13, Insurance Ireland and our supporting members (Allianz, AXA Insurance, CACI, FBD Insurance, Irish Life, Laya Healthcare (part of AXA), Renaissance Re, Zurich Insurance, Aviva, Royal London Ireland and SCOR) represented the Insurance Industry as Bronze Sponsors at the 14th Autism-Europe Congress at the RDS. The team engaged with delegates from across sectors, education, government, healthcare, and the autistic community to promote the Charter.
On the Friday of the Autism Europe Congress, Insurance Ireland, CEO, Moyagh Murdock was delighted to join a panel discussion to talk about the Charter and the Roadmap for Autism and Employment. This session was chaired by Dr. Kara McGann, Head of Skills and Social Policy at IBEC and attended by Carolann Lennon, CEO of Salesforce Ireland, Denis Dolan, Head of People Experience and Niamh Bidduph of An Post.
Looking Ahead
The Autism Accessible Employer Charter It’s not just a commitment—it’s a catalyst for change. It is about recognising the value of neurodiverse talent and creating workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
To learn more or download the Charter and supporting materials, visit: Autism Accessible Employer Charter