In Thailand, over 90% of children with disabilities drop out of primary school, limiting their access to vocational training and employment. Neurodivergent individuals face barriers in the digital workforce due to limited accessible skills training and insufficient employer understanding of workplace accommodations. This innovation addresses these challenges.
Steps and the Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre (NWRC) developed the Digital Literacy and Workplace Readiness Programme, a scalable, inclusive model to equip neurodivergent learners with the skills for independent and sustainable employment. The programme combines classroom instruction with applied digital learning in a real work environment through Steps’ Business Service Centre (BSC), covering digital communication, online safety, and assistive technology.
This curriculum is the first Thai language digital skills programme accredited by the Thai Professional Qualification Institute (TPQI) for neurodivergent learners, offering ASEAN-recognised qualifications and practical work experience. It challenges exclusionary systems and demonstrates that digital skill-building can be inclusive by design.
The programme adapts teaching, workplace training, and evaluation to empower neurodivergent learners, enabling meaningful participation with support rather than expecting conformity to standard norms. It tackles skills gaps, systemic exclusion, and the digital divide in education and employment.
The Digital Literacy and Workplace Readiness Programme combines structured classroom instruction with practical digital tasks in a supportive and inclusive environment. Learners are trained on essential digital tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, Canva, and email, as well as online safety, workplace communication, and administrative systems. Job coaches use visual aids, multimedia content, work simulation and individual pacing to support diverse learning needs.
After classroom training, learners apply their skills through project based work at the Business Service Centre, a vocational training hub providing outsourced digital services to corporate clients. Learners complete tasks such as document digitisation, data entry, geomapping, digital design, and database management. Job coaches guide daily work and monitor progress using tools such as the Programme Evaluation Form and the Autism Work Skills Questionnaire.
Twenty neurodivergent trainees currently participate across six learning tracks. Trainers tailor each track to individual strengths, starting skills, and personal goals. Assessments focus on how learners use strategies and tools rather than independence from support. This reinforces practical readiness and inclusion.
The programme also engages employers to provide feedback, offer work placements, and strengthen inclusive practices. This develops trainee skills, builds employer confidence, and supports successful workplace transitions.
The Digital Literacy and Workplace Readiness Programme is gaining momentum in its pilot stage through strategic partnerships and growing interest from inclusive employers. The Business Service Centre provides a work integrated learning environment and an effective platform for scaling impact. Trainees deliver services such as data entry, digitisation, and document processing for clients including RMA Group, Shopee, BayWa r.e. and Sea (Thailand). This supports outsourcing while embedding inclusion within supply chains.
Steps delivers high quality digital services that attract new clients seeking social impact and corporate social responsibility outcomes linked to inclusive employment. Employers provide positive feedback on the quality and consistency of trainee work, reinforcing the value of supported neurodivergent talent.
The programme has been recognised in national and regional inclusion discussions led by the Neurodiversity at Work Research Centre. In partnership with the Thai Professional Qualification Institute, the programme has gained formal accreditation, creating the first Thai language digital literacy curriculum for neurodivergent learners. This increases policy credibility and enables potential adoption in government and vocational systems.
Steps aims to expand the programme into a scalable model delivered through employer led internships. Evidence based refinements and open access materials will support adoption and wider impact.
The innovation has evolved significantly since its inception, guided by ongoing feedback from trainees, job coaches, and employers. The programme began with a focus on foundational digital skills and now includes soft skills, workplace readiness, and applied task learning. This development reflects the real demands of employment settings. Earlier work placements showed that digital competence alone provides limited benefit. Learners gain greater confidence and adaptability when offered structured opportunities to develop wider skills in authentic workplace environments.
A major enhancement is the integration of the Business Service Centre as a core part of the learning model. Trainees complete project based assignments such as document digitisation, data entry, and content design for real clients. This approach turns theoretical learning into practical skill development and aligns the training with employer expectations.
The programme has achieved formal accreditation from the Thai Professional Qualification Institute, increasing its credibility with policy and training stakeholders. Teaching methods now include visual support, multimedia content, and differentiated instruction. Evaluation tools were co developed to assess not only task completion but also the level of support required.
These improvements demonstrate a commitment to co design, accessibility, and long term employability, and continue to guide programme development as it moves towards wider delivery.
Several ways to engage with our innovation based on your role and context.
Employers can integrate inclusive practice by outsourcing digital tasks to our Business Service Centre, accessing high quality services such as data entry, document digitisation or bespoke services. We also provide inclusion consultancy and structured onboarding to support teams in applying reasonable adjustments and accessible workflows.
Organisations that plan full implementation can join through a guided onboarding process with facilitator training, accredited materials, and workplace integration support. We tailor assistance for vocational centres, schools, and social enterprises that adopt inclusive digital training within existing services.
Education settings can co develop curriculum tracks using our TPQI accredited digital literacy framework, adapted to the learning profiles of neurodivergent learners. We also support accreditation under Thai vocational standards and offer training in inclusive teaching practice.
Funders and grantmakers can contribute through grants or partnerships that enable expansion of cohorts, delivery sites, or sector specific modules.
Neurodivergent learners can join as trainees to build digital and workplace skills in a strengths based environment supported by job coaches and real client projects.
Our model embeds inclusion from design to delivery, giving learners the skills and confidence to succeed in real world environments. Contact: info@stepscommunity.com
