Careers advisers play a crucial role in helping graduates navigate the transition from university into employment. Yet for many autistic graduates, this transition remains particularly challenging. Despite strong qualifications and growing participation in higher education, autistic graduates continue to experience lower employment rates, longer job searches, and higher levels of under-employment than their non-autistic peers.
A new study by Fabri and Beni (2026) evaluated the IMAGE Employability Toolkit, a free online resource co-designed with autistic students and graduates to support this transition. The toolkit provides practical guidance, graduate stories, examples of good support practices, and a range of interactive tools that help users reflect on their strengths, preferences, and support needs.
What makes the findings particularly relevant for careers professionals is that participants did not use the toolkit continuously. Instead, they returned to it at key moments: preparing for interviews, considering disclosure, applying for jobs, or starting a new role. The research suggests that autistic graduates often need targeted, just-in-time support rather than generic employability advice.
The study found that the toolkit’s most valued features were its interactive profile and reasonable-adjustments builders. These tools helped users identify their needs and prepare for conversations with employers. They also helped students/graduates to advocate for themselves in arranging specific workplace support. Participants found that the generated templates and scripts reduce stress and help them communicate more confidently.
Importantly, the benefits extended beyond employability skills: Users reported increased self-understanding, confidence, wellbeing, and a stronger sense of belonging. Graduate stories and examples of good practice also helped normalise help-seeking and self-advocacy.
For careers advisers, the message is clear: effective support for autistic graduates should combine practical career guidance with tools that promote reflection, self-advocacy, confidence and wellbeing. The IMAGE Toolkit demonstrates how inclusive digital resources can help autistic graduates navigate important career milestones and move towards meaningful employment.
Read the full paper: Fabri and Beni (2026) Evaluating the IMAGE Employability Toolkit for autistic university graduates through an HCI Lens