About Us
The Uniquely Abled Project (UAP) is a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind collaboration with the business community. Our focus is the creation of vocational opportunities for the uniquely abled by matching their unique abilities to jobs in demand. We are different from other jobs programs, because we have a business conversation with companies and provide an extraordinary solution to a need that businesses have. We are not asking them to “help the handicapped.”
The Uniquely Abled Project enables those with a diagnosis to have the possibility of a career that is meaningful and provides income, dignity and purpose while filling a major need for employers. Our exceptional partnerships with educators, autism specialists, and representatives from state and local social service agencies have enabled us to create programs that properly train, place and provide ongoing support for autistic students seeking well-paying jobs across a wide range of industries.
Our Mission
At a higher level, we strongly believe that people with disabilities should not be perceived as “disabled”, but instead, “uniquely abled” and we are working diligently to change this paradigm in society, starting with individuals who have autism.
What the world does not realize is that about 40 percent of those with an autism diagnosis have average to above average intellectual abilities. These uniquely abled folks often have exceptional abilities in visual and academic skills that when properly utilized make them productive, valuable contributors of the workforce.
History
In July 2013 the UAP began collaborating with the Exceptional Children’s Foundation (ECF), an organization that offers a full continuum of lifespan services for children and adults with developmental disabilities and other special needs.
We began to explore what it would look like if ECF clients were viewed through the lens of “uniquely-abled”, instead of “disabled”. What were they particularly good at? How might these talents be useful to businesses?
The answer to the first question was that many were good at repetitive work with clear instructions, work which could not be done solely by a machine (human intervention is required), where they are mostly working as an individual. With that in mind, we began asking Aerospace and Defense companies whether such talents would be useful, and we received a resounding “Yes.” That was all the encouragement we needed to get started.
One of our first placements for ECF adult clients was Hawker Pacific Aerospace. Hawker Pacific Aerospace generates about 5 feet of paper for every one of the 450 landing gears they refurbish annually. To date, this paper has been stored in over 1,000 file cabinets. Hawker received permission from the FAA to scan all these paper files into the cloud to reduce storage costs and improve access.
This work was ideal for ECF adult clients and produced tremendous results for Hawker. The initial three people hired has grown to 12, with 2 working full-time. These individuals might have been on welfare or in a lower-skilled and lower-paid job – but they are now employees of a respected aerospace firm, with benefits combined with pride and motivation, and Hawker has reliable, productive, high quality and happy employees.
Board Members
Ivan Rosenberg
Founder And President, The Uniquely Abled Project
Ivan Rosenberg is the founder and President of The Uniquely Abled Project. He is the father of two children, both with autism. He was also a Board Member of Exceptional Minds Studio (“EM”), a vocational school that teaches digital media post-production to young adults with high functioning…
Evan Ingwors
Treasurer, The Uniquely Abled Project
Evan Ingwers is the Treasurer of The Uniquely Abled Project. Mr. Ingwers is currently a Vice President for Wells Fargo’s Middle Market Defense and Aerospace team. Mr. Ingwers has significant experience concerning organizational finances and commercial lending.
Thomas Iland
Secretary, The Uniquely Abled Project
Diagnosed with autism at 13 years old, Thomas “Tom” Iland has worked hard to achieve his goals: learning to drive, living on his own, graduating from college, obtaining full-time employment, running two marathons. Tom recently left his career…
Jessica Morrow
Assistant Executive Director, Jay Nolan Community Services
Jessica Morrow is the Assistant Executive Director of Jay Nolan Community Services, a not for profit human services agency that provides individualized services and supports to people with special needs and their families. Jessica has worked in the human services nonprofit sector for over twenty years. Her professional experiences include oversight of Supported Living Services and Community…
Jim Watson
President & CEO, California Manufacturing Technology Consulting
Jim Watson is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of California Manufacturing Technology Consulting. He brings knowledge on manufacturing companies with which the Uniquely Abled Project hopes to place employees. Mr. Watson is also experienced in running a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. Mr. Watson has industry…
Matt Fieldman
Executive Director of America Works
Matt Fieldman is currently Executive Director of America Works, a nationwide initiative to coordinate the American manufacturing industry’s training efforts, generating a more capable, skilled, and diverse workforce. Based at MAGNET, Matt works across the nation’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) system to increase collaboration, efficiency, and impact of local and regional…
Mike Bastine
uniquely abled academy Consultant, CACT Directory at college of the canyons
Mike Bastine is the Director of College of the Canyons’ Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA).
He has served as a college administrator and faculty member collaborating with business communities on various workforce education initiatives, to include – apprenticeships, internships, externships, and contract education…
Bob McRae
board member, the uniquely abled project
A native of Southern California, Bob McRae retired in 2020 after a 40 year career in the Commercial Finance industry. In 1992 Bob joined the Orange County office of MetLife Capital’s single-tenant real estate mortgage group, which was acquired by GE Capital in 1998. While at GE Bob was the Senior Vice President – Regional Manager responsible for real estate mortgage production in…
David Van Siclen
Project operations director, the american manufacturing communities collaborative
David Van Siclen is a sustainable development and clean energy professional currently serving as Project Operations Director for the nonprofit organization, The American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative, or AMCC. David serves as the lead on AMCC’s EDA-designated Community of Practice project, where he supports the alignment and
networking of stakeholders in the manufacturing sector…
Toni Neary
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & WORKFORCE INNOVATION, SME
Toni Neary is the Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Innovation, leading efforts to grow diversity, equity, inclusion and access as well as highlight successful programs throughout the United States. Passionate about career & technical education she has spent nearly 20 years engaging, developing and helping to grow advanced manufacturing programs through various role. In her current role Toni is working directly with communities to build, fill, and sustain viable manufacturing ecosystems…
John Wheeler
Uniquely abled academy Consultant
John Wheeler has over 40 years of experience in industry and post-secondary education. He is currently advising developing Uniquely Abled Academy institutions as a UAA Consultant for the Uniquely Abled Project, and is a member of the UAP Board of Directors. While serving on the Workforce Development and Innovation staff at the James A. Rhodes State College in Lima, Ohio, John served as the Project Coordinator…
Cheryl Dettrick
owner/principal consultant, resource development services, llc
Cheryl Dettrick has more than 20 years of experience in higher education grant administration, strategic planning, proposal development and federal grant writing and proposal review, Cheryl owns and operates a highly successful national grants consultancy firm securing an average of $8mil in grant funding per year for non-profit organizations and higher education colleges and universities. Her background in organizational development…
Peter Rathmann
president/ceo/owner of allis manufacturing corp
Peter Rathmann is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Allis Manufacturing Corp. in Milwaukee WI. Besides helping is autistic daughter, Emma, be successful in her manufacturing career, Peter employs multiple individuals on the spectrum and is building additional employer support and employment pipelines for the local Uniquely Abled Academy graduates. He and his daughter are involved with and have been guest speakers for dozens of events focused on why companies should neurodiverse individuals in manufacturing.
Larry Rothman
Chairman/president of happe foundation
Larry Rothman, Ph.D., is the Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of “Helping Adults with Autism to Perform and Excel” (HAAPE). He leads a team dedicated to creating autism workforce ecosystems that empower individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to achieve meaningful, sustainable, and fulfilling careers. With over 35 years of experience, he has held various leadership roles, including Global Practice Leader for Life Sciences at Ernst & Young and establishing IBM’s Pharmaceutical Consulting Practice. Additionally, he is a Board member of the Uniquely Abled Project and co-developed the Neurodiversity Inclusion Index (NDII) at Cognitive Diversity LLC.
Staff
Stephanie Ramos
Communications & Outreach Coordinator, The Uniquely Abled Project
Stephanie Ramos is the Communications & Outreach Coordinator for The Uniquely Abled Project. She is a creative professional with a focus in communications. She has spent time in numerous administrative roles and has experience in event coordinating, content creation, and project management.