Ridgewood, NJ – Today, Santa Fe College in Florida and JoyDew Foundation have announced an agreement to create and carry out a pilot program enabling access for higher education for young adults on the autism spectrum, with needed accommodation through online course work.
Adults with Autism have unique gifts such as pattern recognition, exceptional memories and attention to detail that make them ideal for tech-focused careers, but only 4% have long-term, high-value jobs. One of the biggest barriers is access to higher education. Only 36% of young adults on the autism spectrum attempt some form of postsecondary education, vs. 64% of their neurotypical peers, and only 40% of those graduate, compared to the national average of 62%.
Studies have identified many reasons for this, including managing the social interactions in a university setting, sensory sensitivities impacting daily functioning and academic performance, the lack of needed routine in a new, less structured environment, and reduced access to required supports.
JoyDew is an organization that provides a whole-life solution for adults with autism, including job training and employment in an autism-friendly environment, with expert staff that provide the supports and tools each member requires. It is committed to allowing its members to pursue post-secondary education geared towards 21st-century jobs.
“We are thrilled to partner with a college that is leading the field and continuously researching how to better support the needs of students with autism.” says Moish Tov, CEO of JoyDew. “With a broad catalog of continuing education courses, the option to take courses online/remotely, and offering extended time for completion that is asynchronous with a standard “semester” schedule, SantaFe is an ideal partner.”
“Santa Fe’s Spectrum of Success program has been able to accommodate many of the needs of unique learners,” says Lisa Andersen, Continuing Education & Workforce Development Coordinator. “Together with JoyDew, we plan to study and further increase the ability of students with autism to access and complete our courses. This will create a framework for other individuals with autism/special needs to do the same, expanding SF’s reach to new students.”
