KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
The Uniquely Abled Academy at College of the Canyons is looking to offer college students on the autism spectrum a chance to learn job skills, work placement and new opportunities.
Sponsored Articles
Ivan Rosenberg, who founded the program and is now bringing UAA to COC, said the program offers a solution to a traditional concern for many parents with children on the spectrum.
“‘I hope I live one day longer than my kid,’” said Ivan Rosenberg, sharing a poignant but troubling sentiment he felt summed up the fears of many special needs parents, “because I don’t know how they’re going to be taken care of when I’m gone.’”
Rosenberg was quick to point out that in no way was he trying to say children like his two, who are on the autism spectrum, couldn’t thrive and excel in certain environments. He knows they’re able to with the right coaching and mentorship.
However, traditional and outdated attitudes have created barriers for success in the past. And that’s part of the unique shift he’s trying to pilot at several community colleges, including College of the Canyons, with the Uniquely Abled Academy.
For one, there are very few vocational programs aimed at helping this population, which includes more than 3.5 million Americans, he said.
In order to help this population maximize its potential in the business community, Rosenberg looked to create a business paradigm — “It’s not a charity model,” he mentioned several times — that takes a holistic approach to coaching, training and job preparation for individuals on the autism spectrum.
There are three basic tenets, Rosenberg said: Get rid of the term “disabled” because it discourages hiring and doesn’t take into account the fact that many on the autism spectrum have unique talents and abilities that qualify them for positions, sometimes better than those who are not on the autism spectrum; create vocational opportunities for these individuals, by finding where those unique qualifications and skills match up best in the workforce; and run the program on a business, as opposed to nonprofit, model.
After an initial successful pilot run of UAA at Glendale Community College, Rosenberg worked with COC’s Michael Bastine, who runs the college’s Center for Applied Competitive Technologies, as well as several others who hire in CNC machining, which is one of the first areas identified as an appropriate fit, and those who work with the autism spectrum population.
By treating the program as a business model, while working with nonprofits, business owners have quickly understood the value the program provides, Rosenberg said.
“We’re providing the facilities and instruction, and hopefully, COC has ‘the glue,’” Bastine said, to bring all the providers and employers to the table. The program is coming to COC with support from several of the college’s programs, as well as at least 18 service providers, employers and partners who want to see the program succeed.
For those interested, the program is going to have an open forum in October at the college’s Performing Arts Center. The goal for administrators is to have the program up and running at COC in spring 2018, officials confirmed.
The next team meeting is set for September 27, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at COC’s University Center in Room 222. If anyone would like to become involved in the program, more information will be available there.
Anyone who would like more information about the program can contact Rosenberg at ivan@ivanmrosenberg.com.
As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!
Unfortunately, the DSPS program at COC leaves much to be desired. The only thing my son received was a form letter to give to his teacher explaining that he is entitled to certain concessions in the class. However, the teachers seem to be too busy to do anything out of the ordinary for the Special Needs Students. I requested a meeting with the head of the program and all she did was deny every concern I had from the counselor putting these students into a class that was fairly empty instead of a class that would be beneficial to them and also the lack of attention from the instructor. If the many folks involved with the program are receiving Government funding it needs to be looked into and scrutinized. I hope this new program will be more helpful in all fairness to the students.
My son had the exact same experience in dealing with the DSPS program at COC. It is deplorable. It offers next to nothing. My son needs career guidance, job interview skills, socialization skills, etc. Nothing is offered beyond some math and English tutoring and the silly form letter that no teacher bothers to assist with. His issues are not academic. He’s fine in that department, but he can’t be a student forever. Maybe this program will help.
I am very interested in this program and looking forward to additional details. Is the team meeting (September 27, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at COC’s University Center in Room 222) open to the public?
Is open to those who want to be on or support the UAA at CoC Project Team who are working on implementing the UAA. Not a fit for parents of and those wanting to enroll in the program. That meeting will be on Oct 25.