Jobs4Autism Has A New Home!
We have exciting news! Jobs4Autism WILL be continuing as an inclusion program of The Autism Research Foundation founded by Dr. Margaret Bauman.
You can read about Dr. Bauman, The Autism Research Foundation and all of its other inclusion programs on our website.
My name is Courtney LaPorte and I am the new executive director for The Autism Research Foundation. It is my job to understand how autism is viewed in the world and then create ways to help the world understand autism better.
I love the Jobs4Autism program because – just like The Autism Research Foundation – it promotes how a little understanding can go a long way.
A forum like Jobs4Autism serves a dual-purpose: it helps people with autism understand the ins and outs of employment, and it helps people without autism understand some of the questions or concerns people with autism might have in the workplace. There is so much to appreciate about a diagnosis of autism that is often overlooked because people don’t understand. We need more programs like Jobs4Autism, not less.
So, when I came across the Jobs4Autism “goodbye” message on Twitter a few weeks ago, I was sad to hear that a lack of resources was the reason such a great program was coming to a close. I reached out to the founders of Jobs4Autism, to see how The Autism Research Foundation could help sustain this thoughtful network.
Ultimately, they chose to put Jobs4Autism in the care of The Autism Research Foundation. This means that I will now be moderating the website with a team of inspired interns who will help work behind-the-scenes on new Jobs4Autism initiatives.
We are so thankful to the Notre Dame project team that started Jobs4Autism and then Barbara, Kay and Mike for their years of hard work and dedication to Jobs4Autism, and the opportunity they have given us to be the next step of the journey for what is sure to be an incredible resource for the autism community.
Here’s to a beautiful 2012! I look forward to speaking with you all,
Courtney
Autism Research Foundation
I started Jobs For Autism, Inc. and http://www.jobsforautism.com over 8 years ago. As I have an autistic son, I am more aware than most of the trials and tribulations of being the sole caretaker of an autistic child. We have spread the word with regard to the true potential of those within the spectrum, most recently with our incredible concert featuring Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson and his band Promise Of The Real. Our opening act was The Kingsmen, four autistic teens who touched everyone in attendance. You can see the clip on YouTube. Jobs4autism was well aware that they were infringing on our name as merely inserting the number “4″ does not overcome this. Having been a trial attorney for a good portion of my life, I could and still can shut down any website bearing this improper name. I chose not to for one reason. I figured that if they just were able to help one person, that would be fine with me. I have self financed the “real” Jobs For Autism, Inc. through good times and bad. It was never a money making situation nor was it intended to be. If the infringing jobs4autism can’t make money from this and won’t invest any more of their own, and has not as far as I know (not saying they haven’t, but I don’t know of any instance) helped just that one person, good riddance to them. As far as the real Job For Autism, Inc. go to our website, http://www.jobsforautism.com, and our Jobs For Autism Facebook page and you will see what we have done and what we will be doing in the future to assist those within the spectrum to become self sufficient, productive members of society. I guarantee that you will agree, the infringing jobs4autism will not be missed. We welcome your input and participation in our organization. By: Jeffrey B. Stein, Founder and Chairman, Jobs For Autism, Inc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDO0genvXE4 Link to the Kingsmen opening our concert. This is why we do it. Jeffrey Stein, Jobs For Autism, Inc.
I posted the comment above this one before I had the pleasure of speaking with Kay of Jobs4Autism. Although there is still an issue of name confusion, I have no doubt that Kay and her associates within Jobs4Autism are sincere in their desire to help those within the spectrum of autism. We welcome such efforts always and I am certain that any issues that might exist can easily be resolved and we look forward to working with the Jobs4Autism people for a common cause, the employment, training and self sufficiency of those within the spectrum. Jeffrey Stein, Jobs For Autism, Inc.