Autism Alliance hopes to be the catalyst for 100K jobs in Michigan

Seeing a huge need and severe lack of opportunities, the Autism Alliance of Michigan has launched a new effort to try to create 101,000 jobs over the next decade for Michiganders on the autism spectrum.

“We are calling this our ‘moonshot’ because it’s a bold and audacious goal,” said Colleen Allen, president and CEO of the group. She’s hoping to channel the spirit of the challenge put forth by President John. F. Kennedy when he called on NASA to put a man on the moon.

She hopes her organization will be a catalyst in that same vein as they work with educators, lawmakers, health care providers, employers and others to change the conversation and reception given people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder. It’s about improving opportunities for a well-rounded, self-sufficient life.

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In Michigan, 90% of adults on the autism spectrum are unemployed. It’s a similar scenario across the nation. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates one out of 59 children born in the U.S. are somewhere on the spectrum. In Michigan, that translates to about 101,000 people.

“Without critical systemic change, a lifetime goal of independence becomes further and further out of reach,” Allen said.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. People on the spectrum can range dramatically -- from being gifted to severely challenged. Many rely on their families as adults and aren’t able to live on their own.

Indeed, there are stories like Armani Williams, who gained headlines by becoming the first race car driver with autism to compete at Michigan International Speedway last month. But there are too many other stories wrapped in heartbreaking isolation, lackluster opportunities and sometimes poverty.

Such people often don’t drive and are isolated. They often grow frustrated and drop out of high school, limiting their options.

During this pandemic, many Michiganders find themselves unemployed. The COVID-19 crisis and isolation it has thrust upon people have helped Dave Meader teach others to understand what life is like for many on the spectrum.

“There are so many people who have had problem handling the isolation and woes of the past six months,” said Meador, vice chairman and chief administration officer of DTE Energy. “Imagine if that is how you’ve spent your entire life.”

Meador, a longtime champion for the cause, serves as chairman of the board of Autism Alliance. He knows firsthand about it as his 23-year-old daughter, Belle, has autism. She lives at home with Meador and his wife.

She's blessed as she has a job. Actually, two part-time jobs. It took yeoman’s efforts to accomplish.

“I have a lot of connections, but it still took me four years to help her find work,” said Meador. She’s working at an English Gardens in Royal Oak stocking shelves and at Strategic Staffing Solutions on special events.

She has a service dog, a golden retriever named Magic, to help alleviate her anxiety. Belle’s doing well and thinking about moving into her own home.

“She’s even taken Uber, along with Magic, to go to Somerset" Mall to go shopping, Meador said, beaming with pride. Magic has helped in other ways too as folks seeing her dog stop to talk to her about her canine.

Meador is a part of the dedicated community of leaders from companies, foundations, organizations, health care, politics and families of those with autism working together through the organization. The Autism Alliance started in 2009 to address challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families. They focused on gaining better services through passage of a state bill in 2012 that requires health insurance coverage for people on the spectrum. Their sights are now focused on gaining a better quality of life, and for good reason amid so many obstacles.

“I have a friend who has a son with autism who got his degree in accounting, but couldn’t find a job,” Meador said. “I told them to come over so we could talk. When they did, his dad came inside to tell me his son was so nervous he threw up in the car and was too unnerved to come in.”

Meador understood the symptoms. He reached out to Judson Center, which also works to help people on the spectrum, as he heard they were looking for an accountant. The young man got the job and is doing well.

“Our typical experience is after hire, the employers report the employee is a ‘role model’ employee,” Meador said.

Firms like Ford, Gardner-White and Home Depot are hiring more employees with special needs. But most companies aren’t and should think about it. The statistics back up why, as a Louis Harris and Associates survey of 920 employers revealed:

Employees with disabilities have about the same (57%) or better productivity levels than employees without disabilities 90% were rated as average or above average in the performance of their job duties 79% of the managers said their employees with disabilities work hard or even harder than employees without a disability.

“Even if someone has skills and a degree, they may have other issues that prevents them from getting a job,” Meador explained. “When you interview for a job, there’s a focus on making eye contact and being engaging. But someone on the spectrum may not be capable of making eye contact. Or if you ask a question, they may answer something else.”

This new campaign will help change the conversation as they educate people. They will also be raising money to support the effort. The alliance held its annual fundraiser Friday night and raised over $850,000.

Added up, it’s giving those fighting for the cause reason to feel more optimistic.

“Regarding the path forward and where we go from here, the good news is that there are new strong voices emerging from the social justice movement,” Meador said.

“I believe we are on the cusp of sparking a social movement,” Meador said. “Together, we can break the silence of our collective ignorance and affirmatively declare that rights for people with disabilities are human rights -- that disability is social justice.”

Contact Carol Cain: 313-222-6732 or clcain@cbs.com. She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 11:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS 62. See U.S. Sen. Gary Peters and DTE Executive Chairman Gerry Anderson on Sunday's show talking about the pandemic, election & more.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Autism Alliance hopes to be the catalyst for 100K jobs in Michigan

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