PRESS RELEASE July 11, 2025
Employment Support for Individuals with Autism through the Collaboration of the TOHUM Autism Foundation and Boyner
TOHUM Autism Foundation and Boyner have signed an important partnership to increase the participation of individuals with autism in the workforce and ensure their long-term employment in the retail sector. Within the scope of the project, a total of six individuals with autism will be employed in three different Boyner stores located in Istanbul. With the signing ceremony attended by TOHUM Autism Foundation President Aylin Sezgin and Boyner Department Stores Field Human Resources Director Başak Bilgin, the Supported Employment Model will begin to be implemented within Boyner.
To facilitate the adaptation process of autistic individuals in the workplace and ensure that they successfully perform their duties, a mentor will be assigned in each store. These mentors will be supported with both theoretical and practical training by the TOHUM Autism Foundation. Following the training process, the TOHUM Autism Foundation will provide on-site consultancy services to make appropriate adjustments for the needs of autistic individuals in the workplace and to facilitate their integration processes, thereby actively supporting the integration of autistic individuals into the workplace.
TOHUM the Autism Foundation and Boyner, through this meaningful project they have brought to life, aim not only to support the participation of individuals with autism in working life, but also to contribute to creating a more inclusive business world by raising social awareness. Considering that there are an estimated 2 million individuals with autism over the age of 18 in our country, providing employment opportunities for individuals with autism will add value to both the retail sector and the national workforce.
Equal Opportunity for More Autistic Individuals
TOHUM Aylin Sezgin, President of the Autism Foundation, said: “This collaboration with Boyner is a valuable step toward the inclusion of individuals with autism in social life and the workforce. Creating an egalitarian environment where every individual can reach their potential is our shared responsibility. We believe this project will make a significant contribution not only to individuals, but also to the business world.”.
Başak Bilgin, Field Human Resources Director of Boyner Büyük Mağazacılık,
“At Boyner, we care about creating an inclusive work environment where every individual can express themselves as they are and grow with equal opportunities. TOHUM Our cooperation with the Autism Foundation, which we have been carrying out since 2023, is not only an employment model for us; it is also an important step that makes it possible to learn, develop, and go beyond prejudices together. Now we are expanding this journey, welcoming six more friends with autism to our team in Boyner stores. By deepening our understanding of inclusive employment at every stage of this process, we will continue to work for a structure where everyone we work with can freely reveal their potential,’ they stated.
To announce this meaningful collaboration to the public, On July 10, 2025, a signing ceremony was held at the TOHUM Autism Foundation Educational Institutions with the participation of executives from Boyner and the TOHUM Autism Foundation.