In recent years, the conversation surrounding neurodiversity in the workplace has gained momentum, shedding light on the challenges faced by individuals with conditions such as autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disabilities. Despite possessing valuable skills and motivation, many neurodiverse adults struggle to find meaningful employment.
Recognizing this critical issue, UTSA has teamed up with Morgan’s MAC (Multi-Assistance Center) and Southern Methodist University (SMU) to launch an innovative program aimed at bridging this employment gap.
The program, titled Employ 210, is an initiative funded by a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Over the next five years, this program seeks to address the statistics that show adults with disabilities are significantly underrepresented in the workforce. In 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that adults without disabilities were three times more likely to be employed than their disabled counterparts. The disparity is particularly stark for neurodiverse individuals, with one study indicating that only around half of adults with autism have ever been employed.
Read more at Sombrilla Magazine.
