Kuala lumpur: The Neurodivergent Support Guidelines launched today are expected to act as a catalyst for skill-based career pathways, in addition to helping address the issue of underemployment in the learning-disabled persons with disability (PwD) community.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan stated that the guidelines introduced by the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO) are a strategic framework to strengthen comprehensive workforce participation. He highlighted that these guidelines are the first of their kind established in Malaysia, setting a national benchmark for developing more inclusive policies and programs for persons with disabilities, especially the neurodivergent group.
He noted that the disabled community is actively seeking employment, with data from the MYFutureJobs portal indicating that 5,482 neurodivergent jobseekers with disabilities have registered so far. However, the main challenge lies not in the individuals' abilities, but in the readiness of the labor market to provide appropriate support, including workplace adjustments, flexibility, and a more structured support system. The government's role extends beyond providing job opportunities, focusing on building an inclusive and responsive employment ecosystem.
Khairul Firdaus emphasized that the neurodivergent community in Malaysia should be recognized as national assets with unique potential in high-impact sectors, rather than merely as a group with disabilities. He pointed out that there are approximately 333,474 individuals with learning disabilities in Malaysia, with the majority on the neurodivergent spectrum.
He also mentioned the memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchanged between PERKESO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which reflects the global commitment of the MADANI Government towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning education, employment, economy, and reduction of inequality, particularly for the neurodivergent group.