Spectrum Works was founded by Ann Marie Sullivan to address a critical disconnect between an 80% unemployment rate for individuals on the autism spectrum and their value to the workforce as employees with inherent skills and abilities.
Here’s some background on what Spectrum Works does: the Spectrum Works signature Job Training and Employment Program incorporates integrated on-the-job training, classroom-based learning with a focus on soft skills, and competitive employment opportunities via partnerships with participating companies.  They employ highly skilled Job coaches co-locate within the companies to master the students’ responsibilities in order to properly instruct and mentor them throughout the lifecycle from training to placement as interns and employees.
And now their Online Remote Work and Learning Program is a recently added distance learning version of the signature program delivered through live video conferencing.  It incorporates office work assignments, career building skills, and job readiness training and is offered virtually to high schools and individuals with autism across the nation. This programming is available to young adults with autism aged 16 and above who are in high school or post-high school.
In this episode, we discuss challenges in the transition to adulthood related to employment, how Ann Marie had a plan for Spectrum Works and worked to get the non-profit off the ground and running with collaborations with high schools and businesses. Since the start of the pandemic, Ann Marie and her team pivoted to create their Online Remote Work and Learning Program - you’ll want to hear how they made this happen and learn more about the opportunities with this program! We also get into actionable steps for businesses and employers to do to build effective and sustainable Diversity and Inclusion programs in the workplace.
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