Uniquely Abled Academy for Neurodiverse Adults
COHORT 2 (Summer 2026)
- July 6 - Sept 25 (tentative)
- DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: May 13, 2026
We have a tentative go-ahead to offer the 2026 UAA Cohort at De Anza College from July 6 - Sept 18, although we might need to move the start back to July 13. Times, schedule, etc. will be pretty much the same as 2025. See below for details about the program, along with information about jobs, CNC machining, etc. An overview of manufacturing, and the UAA program can be found in these Slides (2025).
As with last year, each student will be responsible for securing their own funding (last year we helped connect people with the San Jose DOR who funded the students, and we're working with DOR now to see if they will have funds available. As you can imagine, recent policy changes at the national level have impacted things).
1) To make sure you get updates about the program, please fill out the interest survey here.
2) If you know want to be a part of the cohort, you can APPLY here. You can see the questions being asked in this PDF.
See schedule for Open Houses below.
- July 6 - Sept 25 (tentative)
- DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: May 13, 2026
We have a tentative go-ahead to offer the 2026 UAA Cohort at De Anza College from July 6 - Sept 18, although we might need to move the start back to July 13. Times, schedule, etc. will be pretty much the same as 2025. See below for details about the program, along with information about jobs, CNC machining, etc. An overview of manufacturing, and the UAA program can be found in these Slides (2025).
As with last year, each student will be responsible for securing their own funding (last year we helped connect people with the San Jose DOR who funded the students, and we're working with DOR now to see if they will have funds available. As you can imagine, recent policy changes at the national level have impacted things).
1) To make sure you get updates about the program, please fill out the interest survey here.
2) If you know want to be a part of the cohort, you can APPLY here. You can see the questions being asked in this PDF.
See schedule for Open Houses below.
If you'd like to post a flyer, you can print this page and post it. Here's a QR code for a link to this website.
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OPEN HOUSES
We’re holding online and in-person Open Houses to give you an overview of the program and for you to see the facility.
- LOCATION: De Anza College (21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino)
- Park in parking lot E (no parking fee required)
- ROOM:
+ (7 - 7:30) Building S5, Room S57 (overview)
+ (7:30 - 8) Building E2, Room E21 (shop tour)
- Map
- https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/82637862047
- Recording of previous virtual open house (Neurodiverse Families meeting)
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Uniquely Abled Academy is a community college manufacturing training program specifically designed for high-functioning neurodiverse adults. The program is designed to get students ready for a full-time job as a CNC Operator.
The program is a 11-week, full-time program (8am - 4pm, one hour for lunch, two 15-min breaks) at De Anza College in Cupertino. We have a class size of up to 10 students.
We're focused on getting students employed in a full-time career as a CNC (computer numerically controlled) operator. While the UAA program is new to the Bay Area, it is a well-established model at a number of locations throughout the US.
CNC Operator Careers
If not familiar with what a CNC operator does, you can learn more about this career in the following videos.
- Video of CNC Machining (4 min)
- Video of A Day in the Life of a CNC Operator (6 min)
- De Anza Shop Facilities (5 min)
- Wage Data
- Overview
- An overview of manufacturing, and the UAA program can be found in the Open House Slides.
Criteria to participate in the Academy
Cost
We will rely on individuals to bring their own funding (through DOR, Regional Center, or self-funding). Cost for the class is $17k. If not already connected to DOR or a Regional Center, we will work with students to get them connected to assess their eligibility. If looking for housing nearby, see FAQ's below for information.
Support Services
We work with Jay Nolan Community Services who will be providing support services for the cohort.
Contacts
- Mark Martin (markmartin@peralta.edu) - Project Manager
- Micaylah Stewart (mstewart@jaynolan.org) - Jay Nolan contact
--------------------------------------------
Next Steps
1) If you're interested in getting updates about the program, please fill out the interest survey here.
2) Attend an Open House (see below)
3) If ready to move forward after the open house:
- Fill out the online application form (above)
4) Interview - we'll reach out to schedule an interview
5) If accepted, you will download and fill out the DOR forms on your computer (if applying for DOR funding)
+ DR210, DR218, DR233, DR260 all require signatures.
+ (NOTE: If you can't sign those pages electronically, print out JUST the 4 pages that require a signature. Sign those pages, scan them or take a picture of them, turn into a PDF (if possible), and then return them along with the other pages filled out on the computer.)
6) You will also receive info about how to take the ACT Workkeys assessment.
--------------------------------------------
WORKKEYS PRACTICE SKILLS ASSESSMENTS
To ensure that students are prepared to do well in the program, we will have those who apply take Workkeys Skills Assessment for 1) Applied Math (level 4), 2) Workplace Documents (level 4), 3) Graphic Literacy (level 3)
- Workkeys Practice Tests sign-up
- Quick example
- Mometrix sample test (also offers paid tutorial courses)
- Google search
--------------------------------------------
COMPANIES
And if you're a company that might be interested in hiring any future graduates, fill out the company interest survey here.
--------------------------------------------
FAQ's - Frequently Asked Question's
OPEN HOUSES
We’re holding online and in-person Open Houses to give you an overview of the program and for you to see the facility.
- In-Person 2026
- LOCATION: De Anza College (21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino)
- Park in parking lot E (no parking fee required)
- ROOM:
+ (7 - 7:30) Building S5, Room S57 (overview)
+ (7:30 - 8) Building E2, Room E21 (shop tour)
- Map
- Virtual 2026 (Zoom)
- https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/82637862047
- Recording of previous virtual open house (Neurodiverse Families meeting)
--------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Uniquely Abled Academy is a community college manufacturing training program specifically designed for high-functioning neurodiverse adults. The program is designed to get students ready for a full-time job as a CNC Operator.
The program is a 11-week, full-time program (8am - 4pm, one hour for lunch, two 15-min breaks) at De Anza College in Cupertino. We have a class size of up to 10 students.
We're focused on getting students employed in a full-time career as a CNC (computer numerically controlled) operator. While the UAA program is new to the Bay Area, it is a well-established model at a number of locations throughout the US.
CNC Operator Careers
If not familiar with what a CNC operator does, you can learn more about this career in the following videos.
- Video of CNC Machining (4 min)
- Video of A Day in the Life of a CNC Operator (6 min)
- De Anza Shop Facilities (5 min)
- Wage Data
- Overview
- An overview of manufacturing, and the UAA program can be found in the Open House Slides.
Criteria to participate in the Academy
- Participants must be 18 years or older by the start of the academy.
- High School graduate or GED recipient.
- Ability to demonstrate basic Algebra and English skills. (Skills assessment will be done using ACT WorkKeys).
- Available to participate Monday-Friday (up to 8 hours a day).
- Be comfortable working with machinery and in an industrial environment.
- Be prepared to start working after the completion of the program.
- Have a positive attitude!
Cost
We will rely on individuals to bring their own funding (through DOR, Regional Center, or self-funding). Cost for the class is $17k. If not already connected to DOR or a Regional Center, we will work with students to get them connected to assess their eligibility. If looking for housing nearby, see FAQ's below for information.
Support Services
We work with Jay Nolan Community Services who will be providing support services for the cohort.
Contacts
- Mark Martin (markmartin@peralta.edu) - Project Manager
- Micaylah Stewart (mstewart@jaynolan.org) - Jay Nolan contact
--------------------------------------------
Next Steps
1) If you're interested in getting updates about the program, please fill out the interest survey here.
2) Attend an Open House (see below)
3) If ready to move forward after the open house:
- Fill out the online application form (above)
4) Interview - we'll reach out to schedule an interview
5) If accepted, you will download and fill out the DOR forms on your computer (if applying for DOR funding)
+ DR210, DR218, DR233, DR260 all require signatures.
+ (NOTE: If you can't sign those pages electronically, print out JUST the 4 pages that require a signature. Sign those pages, scan them or take a picture of them, turn into a PDF (if possible), and then return them along with the other pages filled out on the computer.)
6) You will also receive info about how to take the ACT Workkeys assessment.
--------------------------------------------
WORKKEYS PRACTICE SKILLS ASSESSMENTS
To ensure that students are prepared to do well in the program, we will have those who apply take Workkeys Skills Assessment for 1) Applied Math (level 4), 2) Workplace Documents (level 4), 3) Graphic Literacy (level 3)
- Workkeys Practice Tests sign-up
- Quick example
- Mometrix sample test (also offers paid tutorial courses)
- Google search
--------------------------------------------
COMPANIES
And if you're a company that might be interested in hiring any future graduates, fill out the company interest survey here.
--------------------------------------------
FAQ's - Frequently Asked Question's
PREVIOUS COHORTS
COHORT 1 (Summer 2025)
We are happy to report that our first cohort of students completed the program at the end of September 2025. We had 9 students start and a 100% completion rate. Seven of the nine are currently working in CNC machining or manufacturing.
Here are the certificates the students completed during those 11 weeks.
1) De Anza College UAA CNC Operator Certificate of Completion
- 350 hours of in-person training
- Safety, manual machining, print reading, math, g-code, CNC mill, CNC lathe, company tours, career skills
2) NIMS Certificates
- Measurement, Materials, & Safety
- CNC Operator
3) Haas Mill Operator Certification
4) ACT National Career Readiness Certificates
- Applied Math
- Graphic Literacy
- Workplace Documents
PUBLICITY
- Jay Nolan recap
- IMTS article
We are happy to report that our first cohort of students completed the program at the end of September 2025. We had 9 students start and a 100% completion rate. Seven of the nine are currently working in CNC machining or manufacturing.
Here are the certificates the students completed during those 11 weeks.
1) De Anza College UAA CNC Operator Certificate of Completion
- 350 hours of in-person training
- Safety, manual machining, print reading, math, g-code, CNC mill, CNC lathe, company tours, career skills
2) NIMS Certificates
- Measurement, Materials, & Safety
- CNC Operator
3) Haas Mill Operator Certification
4) ACT National Career Readiness Certificates
- Applied Math
- Graphic Literacy
- Workplace Documents
PUBLICITY
- Jay Nolan recap
- IMTS article
