The Southeast Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Center (Southeast TACE), a project of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, and the University of South Florida’s Center for Inclusive Communities hosted a learning series entitled, “Improving Employment Outcomes for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.”

Held in July 2011 and January 2012, the series consisted of four webinars, companion dialogue sessions, and a final project. The archives of the Autism and Employment Learning Series are available online. The series provided vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals with information about autism spectrum disorders (ASD), gave specific examples of cases from both consumer and provider perspectives, and reviewed effective employment practices.

The series helped to expand southeast VR professionals’ awareness of employment possibilities for individuals with ASD. Participants identified important information to disseminate to other VR professionals. They also developed a project report to provide context for their colleagues to incorporate the information into practice, with goal of improving and increasing services for people with autism spectrum disorders.

After identifying the need to increase their knowledge and skills relating to ASD, network members helped develop this learning series. TACE will continue to support the participants in integrating effective ASD practices into their services, and will help them track resulting improvements in employment and economic self-sufficiency outcomes for individuals with autism.

Southeast TACE provides capacity-building services to VR agencies in the southeast region (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN) in order to improve the quality of employment services to individuals with disabilities. TACE sponsors a peer network of VR professionals focused on serving individuals with the most significant disabilities and offering opportunities to learn about effective and innovative practices, leverage resources and share experiences.

For more information:
Southeast TACE Network for Serving Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities (MSD Network).