LETTER FROM THE CEO: A Legislative Step Toward True Inclusion: How We Can Build a More Inclusive Workforce Through Policy

At Spectrum Works, we believe a more inclusive workforce isn’t just possible, it’s essential. For over a decade, we’ve partnered with forward-thinking businesses to prove that hiring autistic and neurodiverse individuals isn’t about charity; it’s about talent, innovation, and building stronger teams. But to create real, systemic change, especially across industries and at scale, we also need policy that matches that vision.

That’s why we were proud to stand alongside Senator Andrew Zwicker, Bergen Logistics, and leaders from the business, education, and advocacy communities for a recent roundtable and press conference to support new legislation that can truly move the needle.

This legislative package, championed by Senator Zwicker, is a significant and hopeful step forward for autistic job seekers across New Jersey. It includes tax incentives for companies that hire neurodiverse workers in STEM roles, grants for businesses that invest in inclusive workplace practices, and dedicated programming at county colleges to support neurodiverse students. These measures send a powerful message: neurodiverse individuals are valued members of our workforce, and employers who hire inclusively should be supported.

What’s particularly exciting about this legislation is how it lowers the barrier to entry for small and mid-sized businesses, the very businesses that make up the backbone of our economy. Too often, companies want to do the right thing but don’t know where to start or worry about the cost and infrastructure needed to support inclusive hiring. This package addresses those concerns head-on, providing both the resources and incentives to help more employers take that first step.

We know from experience that once companies begin working with autistic individuals, they rarely look back. They see the reliability, the focus, the unique perspectives, and they begin to shift how they think about hiring altogether. Inclusion becomes not just a goal but a norm.

We’re grateful to Senator Zwicker for his vision and leadership, and to partners like Bergen Logistics who continue to demonstrate what’s possible when inclusion is prioritized. We were also especially proud to hear from Erik, a former Spectrum Works IT intern, who spoke with honesty and strength about what meaningful employment has meant to him and why he hopes others are given the same opportunity. Erik’s voice, like so many of our program participants, is what drives this work forward.

This legislation is a great beginning, but it’s only that: a beginning. Our hope is that these efforts continue to grow, expanding across industries, across states, and across all levels of business. Because the more we invest in inclusive hiring, the more we invest in a future that works for everyone.