Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We are proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish and look forward to continued successes in the years ahead.
SourceAmerica (formerly NISH), a national nonprofit, is the leading source of job opportunities for a people with significant disabilities. Through our work, we make the American Dream more accessible to a segment of the population where nearly 80% do not have jobs.
Through a nationwide network of more than 550 community nonprofit agency partners, we fulfill contracting needs for the Federal Government, commercial businesses and government contractors.
Our network provides training to people with disabilities, assists them in identifying employment options that most of us take for granted, and then enables them to be successful at work. SourceAmerica is the vital link between jobs and the people who can do them.
It’s Working – more than 125,000 people with significant disabilities are employed through SourceAmerica nonprofit agencies.
How does SourceAmerica make this work?
For our procurement customers, SourceAmerica:
- Markets the capabilities of the products and services delivered by people with significant disabilities
- Creates a partnership to ensure quality and satisfaction meets expectations
- Connects the procurement opportunity with the most qualified nonprofit agency
- Provides dedicated customer service
- Includes third party management and collaboration on the statement of work
- Offers competitive pricing
- Supports all aspects of contracting which reduces customer time requirements
For our nonprofit agencies, SourceAmerica provides:
- Legislative representation and regulatory assistance
- Communications and marketing outreach
- Information technology expertise
- Engineering and technical support
- Comprehensive professional training
- Research and development projects
- Grants and financial assistance
For people with disabilities, SourceAmerica created the Institute for Economic Empowerment to conduct research, demonstration, and develop projects to make important progress toward the strategic goal of full and fair employment for individuals with significant disabilities, particularly those facing the most significant disability-related barriers to employment.
This is a resource guide for people seeking information on college programs for people with IDDs which are available in a particular state. It also features a short documentary called Rethinking College.
Here is what it has for all of Texas, but I know it is not a complete listing:
| Austin Community College | STEPS- Skills, Training and Education for Personal Success | Austin, TX | |
| St. Edward’s University Austin, TX | GO Project at St. Edward’s University | Austin, TX | |
| West Texas A&M University | Where the Learning Continues (WTLC) | Canyon, TX | |
| Texas A&M University | Postsecondary Access and Training in Human Services (PATHS) | College Station, TX | |
| Lone Star College-CyFair | CCDEL | Cypress, TX | |
| Houston Community College – Central | VAST Academy | Houston, TX | |
| Houston Community College Northwest | VAST Academy | Houston, TX |