Uniquely Abled Academy for Autistic Adults
DESCRIPTION
The community college manufacturing training program specifically designed for high-functioning autistic adults is moving forward for summer 2025. The program is designed to get students ready for a full-time job as a CNC Operator (see below) upon completion.
The program is a 12-week, full-time program (8am - 4pm, one hour for lunch, two 15-min breaks) at De Anza College in Cupertino, scheduled from July 7 - Sept 26. We plan on having a class size of up to 10 students.
The program is focused on getting students employed in a full-time career as a CNC (computer numerically controlled) operator. While this 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.
- Here's a flyer to print out and post to let people know about the program.
Criteria to participate in the Academy
FAQ's - Frequently Asked Question's
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.
Support Services
We are working closely with Jay Nolan Community Services, who will be providing support services for the cohort.
Contacts
Mark Martin (markmartin@peralta.edu) - Project Manager
Jessica Morrow (jessica@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
3) If ready to move forward after the open house:
- Fill out the ONLINE APPLICATION form here (here's a pdf showing the questions on the online form).
4) Schedule an interview (reach out to Mark & Jessica)
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.
+ 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) / return them along with the forms filled out on the computer.
6) You will also receive info about how to take the ACT Workkeys assessment.
--------------------------------------------
OPEN HOUSES
We’re holding Open Houses to give you an overview of the program and for you to see the facility.
You MUST attend an Open House.
- We will have representatives there to talk about DOR, Regional Center or self-funding.
- Open House Slides
Virtual (Zoom)
- April 30 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 25 (3pm - 4pm)
- April 7 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 4 (3pm - 4pm)
In-Person
- March 26 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 14 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 15 (7pm - 8pm) - also available on Zoom at https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/89309329010
- LOCATION: De Anza College (21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino)
- Map
- Building S5, Room S57 (overview 7-7:30) / Building E2, Room E21 (shop tour 7:30-8).
- Park in parking lot E (no parking fee required)
--------------------------------------------
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
- 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.
The community college manufacturing training program specifically designed for high-functioning autistic adults is moving forward for summer 2025. The program is designed to get students ready for a full-time job as a CNC Operator (see below) upon completion.
The program is a 12-week, full-time program (8am - 4pm, one hour for lunch, two 15-min breaks) at De Anza College in Cupertino, scheduled from July 7 - Sept 26. We plan on having a class size of up to 10 students.
The program is focused on getting students employed in a full-time career as a CNC (computer numerically controlled) operator. While this 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.
- Here's a flyer to print out and post to let people know about the program.
Criteria to participate in the Academy
- Participants must be 18 years or older by the end of the academy.
- High School graduate or GED recipient.
- Ability to demonstrate basic Algebra and English skills. (Skills assessment may be required through 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!
FAQ's - Frequently Asked Question's
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.
Support Services
We are working closely with Jay Nolan Community Services, who will be providing support services for the cohort.
Contacts
Mark Martin (markmartin@peralta.edu) - Project Manager
Jessica Morrow (jessica@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
3) If ready to move forward after the open house:
- Fill out the ONLINE APPLICATION form here (here's a pdf showing the questions on the online form).
4) Schedule an interview (reach out to Mark & Jessica)
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.
+ 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) / return them along with the forms filled out on the computer.
6) You will also receive info about how to take the ACT Workkeys assessment.
--------------------------------------------
OPEN HOUSES
We’re holding Open Houses to give you an overview of the program and for you to see the facility.
You MUST attend an Open House.
- We will have representatives there to talk about DOR, Regional Center or self-funding.
- Open House Slides
Virtual (Zoom)
- April 30 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 25 (3pm - 4pm)
- April 7 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 4 (3pm - 4pm)
In-Person
- March 26 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 14 (7pm - 8pm)
- April 15 (7pm - 8pm) - also available on Zoom at https://peralta-edu.zoom.us/j/89309329010
- LOCATION: De Anza College (21250 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino)
- Map
- Building S5, Room S57 (overview 7-7:30) / Building E2, Room E21 (shop tour 7:30-8).
- Park in parking lot E (no parking fee required)
--------------------------------------------
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
- 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.
