Microsoft has a new pilot program to hire people with autism for full-time positions within the company. The announcement was made on the company's blog by Microsoft Corporate VP of Worldwide Operations, Mary Ellen Smith, who has a teenage son, Shawn, with autism. The positions will be based at its Redmond campus in Washington and the program will be run in partnership with Specialisterne, a Danish nonprofit that helps train people with autism for careers in IT. Smith wrote on the blog: 'It's simple, Microsoft is stronger when we expand opportunity and we have a diverse workforce that represents our customers.' The announcement was made on the company's blog by Microsoft Corporate VP of Worldwide Operations, Mary Ellen Smith, who has a teenage son, Shawn, with autism . 'The day my son was diagnosed I distinctly remember the final words of two doctors I overheard as my husband and I left the medical center, "I think they understand." 'I also remember how we walked to the car, pulled onto the road, drove 15 miles to our home, and entered the house. All in silence. We did not know what to say. 'But we do now. What we learned over the last 15 years was to find our voice. To model what a unique advantage a young man like my son Shawn can offer. 'To think of where he is now, a college freshman and part-time employee, and where he has the potential to go, makes my husband and I so proud. The positions will be based at its Redmond campus in Washington and the program will be run in partnership with Specialisterne, a Danish nonprofit that helps train people with autism for careers in IT . She added: 'I am also proud of how our society and our workplace is moving forward with the commitment to help support people with autism and disabilities in general.' Last year Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was forced to apologize for saying that women don't need to ask for a raise and should just trust the system to pay them well. Nadella was blasted on Twitter and in blog posts for his comments, which were made at an event for women in computing. He had been asked to give his advice to women who are uncomfortable requesting a raise. His response: 'It's not really about asking for the raise, but knowing and having faith that the system will actually give you the right raises as you go along.' Microsoft is now focusing on diversity. Last year Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella (pictured) was forced to apologize for saying that women don't need to ask for a raise and should just trust the system to pay them well . Not asking for raise, he added, is 'good karma' that would help a boss realize that the employee could be trusted and should have more responsibility. Still, his comments at the event, the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing, underscored why many see technology companies as workplaces that are difficult to navigate or even unfriendly for women and minorities. Tech companies, particularly the engineering ranks, are overwhelmingly male, white and Asian. Criticized for their lack of diversity, major companies say they are trying to address the problem with programs such as employee training sessions and by participating in initiatives meant to introduce girls to coding. Twenty-nine percent of Microsoft's employees are women, according to figures the company released last year. Its technical and engineering staff and its management are just 17 percent female. That's roughly comparable to diversity data released by other big tech companies last year. Commenting on Microsoft's decision Sarah Lambert, Head of Policy at the National Autistic Society, told Daily Mail Online: 'It's encouraging to see a global company like Microsoft recognise the untapped potential of adults with autism and we hope that other organisations follow their lead. 'Autism is a spectrum condition and many people may have strengths such as accuracy, a good eye for detail and reliability, which can benefit all sorts of businesses, not just the technology industry.'
Microsoft Corporate VP of Worldwide Operations, Mary Ellen Smith, who has a teenage son Shawn with autism, made the announcement . Program will be run in partnership with Specialisterne, a Danish nonprofit that helps train people with autism for careers in IT . Full-time positions based at its Redmond campus, Washington .