Helping Adults With Autism Perform And Excel Corp

Computerized Numeric Control (CNC): The "Uniquely Abled Project" (UAP) has created a program that focuses on training men and women with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to become CNC machine operators. CNC operators are currently in great demand over a broad range of industries, especially in manufacturing. Together with the UAP, HAAPE is working with several colleges and other teaching institutions to establish the HAAPE-Uniquely Abled Academy to train qualified ASD adults to operate this equipment. HAAPE has previously financed three CNC licenses and last year added a fourth at Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. To date, nearly 100% of the graduates who have taken the CNC training course have received career employment opportunities from qualified, autism-friendly companies. The expansion of this program has hit some roadblocks due to difficulties in finding qualified instructors and establishing the appropriate training infrastructure. Accordingly, the opportunity for adding future licenses has necessarily been slowed.

Supply Chain and Logistics Certification: Supply chain management has gained popularity because of the significant disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic that impacted retail and wholesale outlets and the economy throughout the country. Similarly, the current economic tariff controversy has also begun to affect supply chains, causing further disruptions. Consequently, the importance of understanding and executing economic efficiencies to maintain the U.S. economy cannot be overlooked. Our program offered by Broward College educates and provides specialized training to adults with autism, who then can find career positions from manufacturing companies concerned with this particular aspect of the production of goods and services. The training consists of 8 separate modules that teach various content to students who can learn at their own pace and at a remote location. Upon completion of each subject, the student takes a test that must be passed in order to move on to the next module. When all eight courses are successfully concluded, the student receives a formal certification for completing the entire curriculum. In FY 2024, we provided scholarships for 23 students covering 40 courses. Since we started this program in 2021, we have provided scholarships for 29 individuals who have taken a total of 65 separate courses.

In addition to the programs described above, HAAPE offers other options that are designed to train and employ autistic adults and educate the public, local businesses, religious organizations, and government officials about the benefits of hiring and understanding adults diagnosed with autism. These efforts stress the unique strengths exhibited by our candidates and the societal cost savings associated with taking advantage of this particular segment of the available workforce. We certainly have not exhausted all readily available opportunities for hiring autistic adults, and we hope to expand these efforts by finding other companies, like Aspiritech and the Uniquely Abled Project, whereby our limited resources can be used to further our mission. To meet these goals, we have established several ecosystems around the country that connect operating partners, employers, and qualified job-seeking autistic adults. Other programs include entrepreneurial training for those wishing to work for themselves, recognizing autistic-friendly towns and cities, and engaging with prospective employers and religious organizations to make them autistic friendly. We cannot understate the importance of our workplace development program. If our graduates cannot be contented living their everyday lives, and working in a comfortable environment, then none of our programs could ever be successful.