Dr. Scott Robertson

Dr. Scott Michael Robertson serves as a senior policy advisor in the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) in the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). His perspective as an autistic adult with secondary cognitive disabilities helps propel this work. Dr. Robertson wears two main hats in his work to increase access to gainful employment for people with disabilities.

First, he orchestrates efforts at ODEP to support neurodiversity at work, enhance national autism policy, and improve access to employment for job seekers on the autism spectrum. Second, he spearheads the Partnership for Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA) through his role as the federal project manager. PIA advances policies and practices to foster career paths in key high-growth, high-demand fields, such as information technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, and clean and renewable energy.

Before joining ODEP, Dr. Robertson served as a Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Fellow for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. He has also served as the Founding Vice President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), a national nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC. Dr. Robertson earned his PhD in information sciences and technology at Penn State University. His honors include a Henry Viscardi Achievement Award for exemplary leaders from the Viscardi Center, and a Service to the Citizen Award from Dorris Consulting International. 

He is also an inductee of the national Susan M. Daniels Disability Mentoring Hall of Fame and a recipient of a Secretary's Exceptional Achievement Award (project award) from DOL.