About the Uniquely Abled Project

“A Tangible Solution – Having problems finding MOTIVATED people for CNC operation or jobs that are highly repetitive?”: a presentation to the NTMA Rocky Mountain Chapter on January 19, 2022
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Employment for the Uniquely Abled: An Interview with Ivan Rosenberg by Hackie Reitman for “Exploring Different Brains”

The Uniquely Abled Academy at Glendale Community College

When Autism Meets CNC Machining: Students with Autism thrive in the world of CNC Machining. What many see as a Disadvantage is actually an Advantage for the students of “Uniquely Abled”, a CNC Machining Program located at Glendale Community College. Watch as TITAN and his son Tyson visit this special program and share their very personal story of Success.

The Uniquely Abled Academy: An Answer to the Shortage of CNC Operators
Highlights: The Uniquely Abled Academy – An Answer to the Shortage of CNC Operators
Interview of Björn N.P Paulsson, Ph.D., CEO, Paulsson, Inc., an early employer of graduates of the Uniquely Abled Academy in CNC at Glendale Community College. The full presentation includes showing video “When Autism Meets CNC Machining”.

The Uniquely Abled Academy at College of the Canyons

Open House
Video of the entire October 25, 2017 Open House for Cohort 1 (March 19, 2018 to June 8, 2018) of the Uniquely Abled Academy at College of the Canyons. Welcome by Ivan Rosenberg, Founder of The Uniquely Abled Project.

Open House–Hannah Brainard
Reporting on an October 25, 2017 Open House for the Uniquely Abled Academy at College of the Canyons (Valencia, CA)

Overview of the UAA@College of the Canyons (1 min)
The UAA at College of the Canyons (Part 1:Introduction)
The UAA at College of the Canyons (Part 2: Graduation)
The UAA at College of the Canyons – Complete Trilogy: covers overview of the UAA program, graduation, and employment of the first cohort at College of the Canyons.

Employing the Uniquely Abled

A Day in the Life of a CNC Machinist: a video of CNC machinists at Machine Concepts talking about their preparation for the job, what they do, and why they like the job.

Hacking Autism with Temple Grandin and Mind Shift: a video of an all day conference in Denver on September 24, 2018, that included presentations from noted International, and local voices to share new best practices in education, including how Colorado is addressing the growing need for career-based curriculum that includes certifications, and apprenticeships to help students more seamlessly transition from school to employment. Click here to download the agenda.

A cool business idea that makes money and helps people with Autism: The success of a car wash in Florida that hires people with autism, and why it is good business.

Lighthouse for the Blind: A CNC machine shop operated by people who are blind.

CEO Secrets: ‘Why I headhunt people with autism’: Kurt Schoeffer, head of IT company Auticon, explains why he actively seeks to employ people with autism.

‘I wondered if I just wasn’t good enough’: Tom Cowley, who is autistic, dreamt of creating computer games, but struggled to find employment. But now an IT firm is harnessing the unique qualities of autistic people.

PBS spotlights valley nonprofits, Phoenix community for supportive autistic environment: highlight housing and training programs initiated by local nonprofits.

When we design for disability, we all benefit: Elise Roy, TED Talk, “When we design for disability first, you often stumble upon solutions that are better than those when we design for the norm.”

Extraordinary People: a documentary film that tells the story of six adults across the autism spectrum, who, despite individual challenges, have found meaningful value and a deep sense of pride from their work at a business called Extraordinary Ventures. The film redefines expectations for employers and society alike, and shows the essential role a job plays for not just these six individuals, but for all adults.

Temple Grandin

My Experience with Autism, February 8, 2008

“The Autistic Brain”, November 19, 2013

The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum, Talks at Google, January 18, 2014

Temple Grandin – AST Speaker Series, Autism Spectrum Therapies, June 13, 2016

2018 Meeting of the Minds with Dr. Temple Grandin, Liane Holliday-Willey and Alix Generous, July 20, 2018

Educating Students with Different Kinds of Minds, TEDxCSU, July 21, 2020

Different Kinds of Minds with Dr. Temple Grandin, Varsity Tutors, February 17, 2021

The World Needs All Kinds of Minds, TEDxWarwick, February 24, 2021

Preparing Students with Autism To Enter the Workforce, Varsity Tutors, March 9, 2021

Recognizing and Eliminating Unconscious Bias
The uniquely abled, along with other populations, face unconscious bias, particularly in applying for a job and in the workplace. It is important to recognize that we all have unconscious bias, and it can have a significant impact on our decision making. Below are some videos summarizing Google’s approach to eliminating unconscious bias.

Guide: Raise awareness about unconscious bias
A set of videos and tools Google is using to educate employees and leaders. Sections are:
– Introduction
– Understand the science
– Partner with leadership
– Watch Unconscious Bias @ Work
– Learn about Google’s workshop experiment
– Tool: Give your own unbiasing workshop
– Learn about Google’s unbiasing journey

Google’s Unconscious Bias Journey
A video of a presentation by Brian Welle, Director of People Analytics, Google

For those younger

Amazing Things Happen
A charming new animated short geared towards kids aged 7-11 breaks autism down in just five minutes

How I use Minecraft to help kids with autism
The internet can be an ugly place, but you won’t find bullies or trolls on Stuart Duncan’s Minecraft server, AutCraft. Designed for children with autism and their families, AutCraft creates a safe online environment for play and self-expression for kids who sometimes behave a bit differently than their peers (and who might be singled out elsewhere). Learn more about one of the best places on the internet with this heartwarming talk.

The Power of Shifting Our Perspective

Believe in Good (Thai Commercial):  “Every once in a while we run into something that is extraordinary. This video is one of these. Watch it, and I promise you it will make your day, and the day of those around you, better.

When I was a boy, I became aware that we all were gifted in our own ways. But it was not until I became a man that I realized we were given those gifts to become a blessing to others, which in turn blesses us.

We are all gifted in our own ways. You might say we are extraordinary, beyond the ordinary. In what unexpected way can we be a blessing to someone today?”

-Hank Frazee, Author of Referral Upgrade and Before We Say “Goodnight”

Changing Perspective: This video shows that we can often see much more when we change our perspective, e.g., from “disabled” to “uniquely abled.”

Why everything you know about autism is wrong, Jac den Houting, TEDxMacquarieUniversity

Putting People in Boxes: This video helps us see how much we have in common as humans.

The Power of Words – This video reveals the power of language and the words we choose.