Person on the Autism Spectrum on (the margin of) the Labour Market. The Nominal International Standard versus the Reality of a European Union Member State – (The Example of Poland)

Abstract

Autism is a spectrum disorder (abbreviated ASD – autism spectrum disorder), which encompasses a variety of developmental challenges in communication, thinking, cognitive skills, interests, and forms of activity, as well as motor skills. Ensuring that people with autism spectrum disorder realise their right to work seems to be a problem in Poland, contributing to their discrimination. The aim of the paper is to present the issue of employment of adults on the autism spectrum in Poland as a member state of the European Union in the light of the international standard. The article discusses the objective and subjective approach to adults with ASD in Poland, the legal conditions of their employment (including international law), as well as the results of empirical research and conclusions in this respect.