By Kadin McElwain The fast food industry is a common first job for teenagers first starting out in the workforce. Whether it be McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, or KFC, fast food is a popular job choice for those looking to make a little bit of money during their college or high school care…

By Ron Sandison “Brewability culture is fun, we are a bar after all. The staff loves to sing and dance while serving beer. Most importantly, my team of employees is learning to socialize and their self-esteem is skyrocketing.” Tiffany Fixter, the founder of Brewability Tiffany Fixter is the founder…

By Ron Sandison  “I believe that everyone should explore the world to make their dreams come true, and if you need help along the way then ask for help and get partners who have the same passion and are willing to support your mission!” Mike DiMauro- an Autistic Advocate Mike DiMauro and I are advi…

y Daniel Antonsson When it comes to finding a job, we are all different no matter if we have some kind of diagnosis or not. Some search their whole life without finding what is right for them whilst others know what path to walk at a very young age. I don’t say that one way is better than the …

By Ron Sandison When I was diagnosed with autism in 1982 only one in every 10,000 children in the United States had an autism diagnosis. As a teenager, I felt different, much like an endangered species. I was often excluded from social activities due to my outbursts and meltdowns. The neurodiversit…

October is National Disability Employment Awareness month. I struggled for years with employment; I am now gainfully employed going on 13.6 years in the mental health field and 18 years part-time as a professor of theology and speak at over 70 events a year. As I refined my talents and special inter…

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The 2021 theme, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,” reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. B…

Disability empowerment … can bend the moral arc of a neurotypical universe into one which supports the idea that initiative and hard work is valuable in and of itself, in whichever way it chooses to manifest. By Nils Skudra A little prefatory material is perhaps in order before I engage in a bit of …

I am an adult with autism. I am different not less. Well, that is until I have a meltdown, or don’t understand something or pace for hours at night. In which case, I am difficult, incompetent, hyperactive, disruptive, unprofessional and those things make me different. By Kaelynn Partlow Go onli…

“It is toxic to think that the worth of a person comes only from what they can provide. This is, in my opinion, a major source of ableism. “By Baylie NixonLast month was autism awareness month. Fortunately, April is slowly but surely becoming better known as “Autism Acceptance Month” in…

Greetings everyone! My name is Stephen Gaiber. Today I am going to talk about autism and employment. Let me first introduce myself. I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome when I was 3 years old. Despite my autism, I have maintained independence by graduating college, working for over 12 years, l…

By Aaliyah Holt Over 80% of autistic adults are unemployed. Only a small percentage of us are working. Why is this? There are several reasons why we struggle with jobs. The lack of education on autism makes it difficult in life. We see the world in black and white. It’s like people are speakin…

By Alex Frank My sister Mia, who is now 24 years old, was at a crossroads before being employed at Popcorn for the People. Most people who are autistic or have special needs struggle intensely to find some form of employment. In fact, the unemployment rate for adults with disabilities in America is …

why I’m no longer employed By an anonymous female on the autism spectrum Sorry, I had to title my first AOA blog with my favorite saying from the King’s Quest video game series. In game VII a very ugly (to some) troll asks the beautiful Princess Rosella for a kiss. Upon rejection his rep…