Supporting Transitions Cultural Connections for People on the Autism - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Supporting Transitions

Cultural Connections for People on the Autism Spectrum and other Developmental Disabilities

Made possible by generous support from The FAR Fund

About 50,000 young adults with autism exit school each year in the U.S. leading to a loss of

community, support services, and structured, daily activities.

Life Course Outcomes Research Program, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University (2015). National Autism Indicators Report: Transition into Young Adulthood. Philadelphia, PA: Roux, Anne M., Shattuck, Paul T., Rast, Jessica E., Rava, Julianna A., and Anderson, Kristy, A.

The unemployment rate for persons with disabilities was 10.7% in 2015, about twice that of those with no disability (5.1%). In 2015, the annual average of people with disabilities employed in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations was only 1.9%.

DOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 2015). Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/cps/.

“Nationally, we have a real crisis. About 80% to 90% of young adults with autism are either unemployed or underemployed.”

• Michael Alessandri, Executive Director, University of Miami Center

for Autism and Related Disabilities (Upstanders - Employing the Full Spectrum)

Diversity includes Disability

Supporting Transitions: A Three Year Project Goal: To increase opportunities at cultural

• rganizations for adults with autism through...
• Employment, internship and

volunteer opportunities

• Recreational programs
• Life skills development programs

Supporting Transitions Pilot Internships 4 Internships for 40 hours each (4 hours/week for 10 weeks)

• Provide training opportunities for

individuals with disabilities

• Build knowledge, experience and

capacity in cultural organizations

• Build a path to employment

The Jewish Museum

The Jewish Museum is dedicated to the enjoyment, understanding, and preservation

• f the artistic and cultural heritage of the

Jewish people ...Using art and artifacts that embody the diversity of the Jewish experience from ancient to present times, throughout the world, the Museum strives to be a source of inspiration and shared human values for people of all religious and cultural backgrounds while serving as a special touchstone of identity for Jewish people.

Our Goals

• Provide a meaningful learning experience for an individual

with autism interested in working in cultural institutions

• Provide a pathway into museum work for someone who

traditionally has less access to the field

• Bring the voices of people with autism into our program

planning

• Expand our inclusive hiring practices and begin the work

to address stigma around hiring people with disabilities

Some projects included:

• Preparing materials
• Assisting with our Access Family

Workshop

• Researching art works
• Helping plan projects and make

sample works

• Learning about and practicing inquiry-

based education

Supporting Transitions Website

Journal of Museum Education Volume 42, 2017 - Issue 4: This is Not a Test: Real Challenges, Real Strategies From the Field

Museum Access Consortium

Website: http://museumaccessconsortium.org/ Email: museumaccess@gmail.com or stprojectleadermac@gmail.com Twitter: @MAConsortium Facebook: http://facebook.com/museumaccess

Made possible by generous support from The FAR Fund