Cushman & Wakefield advocates for autism acceptance and calls for industry-wide inclusion | Australia

Employees of global real estate services leader Cushman & Wakefield are coming together and joining thousands of Australians in taking 7,000 steps a day during May to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, particularly the 70% who experience problems of mental health.

Aspect’s annual Walk for autism fundraising campaign is in its ninth year and has raised more than $7.7 million since its inception to support around 1 in 40 Australians.^and on the autism spectrum.

Anna Town, Head of Business Development Services, Asia Pacific and EMEA at Cushman & Wakefield said that the company’s participation in Walk for autism it’s a fantastic way to show support for employees, contractors, clients and their families on the autism spectrum.
“With around 1 in 40 people now estimated to be on the autism spectrum¹highlights how common neurodiversity is, as well as the need to increase understanding and support for the estimated 675,000 Australians on the autism spectrum,” Town said.
“Walk for autism was a wonderful way to learn more about autism and promote conversations about neurodiversity within our organization. Employees shared personal experiences and insights about being autistic or having loved ones on the autism spectrum, which helped build a stronger and more connected community within our firm. Besides, we’re better together!”
Town added that simply starting a conversation and asking an autistic co-worker about their needs is one of the most powerful ways to show empathy and support and understand the necessary adjustments that would allow for full engagement in the workplace.
“Our journey to inclusion is ongoing. As a company and industry leader, we are dedicated to creating truly inclusive workplaces and facilities. The built environment influences every aspect of our lives, from where we live and work to how we travel and spend our leisure time. As an industry, we need to make sure these spaces are accessible, inclusive and welcoming to people of all abilities,” said Town.
Dr Vicki Gibbs, Head of Research at Aspect, said of this year Walk for autism The campaign highlights that around 70% of people with autism experience mental health problems and that living in an autism-unfriendly world can cause or exacerbate mental health problems.
“We know the world is not autism friendly and we are committed to changing this, particularly through education, as understanding fosters empathy and acceptance,” said Dr Gibbs.
The Aspect Autism Friendly team works with organizations nationwide to carry out environmental assessments, providing advice on how to improve accessibility and inclusion for people with autism in a range of settings, including workplaces, public spaces, events and venues.
“We appreciate the dedication of the Cushman & Wakefield team, not only to the Walk for Autism, but to the broader mission of improving access in our built environments. Together we are working towards an autism-friendly Australia through accessible physical spaces and a change in attitudes and behaviours,” Dr Gibbs added.

Actions to support people with autism in the workplace include:

Respect and accept people with autism: Recognize that each person is unique and autism presents differently in each individual.
Open communication: Ask the person how they prefer to communicate and ask if they need support.
Avoid assumptions: Avoid stereotypes based on preconceived notions about autism.
Be patient: Give them individual time to process the information and express themselves in their own way.

Cushman & Wakefield recently released a white paper, “Dignified access: paving the way to an inclusive workplace” highlighting the steps companies can take towards inclusion in workplace design.

Help Cushman & Wakefield’s 60+ employees who have already raised over $17,000 by donating at: www.walkforautism.org.au/fundraisers/cushmanandwakefield

For more information: Karen Keech [email protected] 0411 052 408

^and Calculation of the aspect based on prevalence studies carried out in the period 2019-2023

About appearance
Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) is Australia’s largest provider of autism-specific services with one of the largest autism-specific schools programs in the world. A not-for-profit organization, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum and their families to provide distinctive services, practices and research that recognize a different brilliant® – understanding, engaging and celebrating the strengths and interests of people on the autism spectrum.