Employment Programs

Employers often find individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities to be exceptionally dedicated, excelling in attendance, punctuality, job tenure, and following workplace policies. Furthermore, companies that actively employ individuals with disabilities report impressive statistics, including an 89% higher retention rate, a 72% increase in employee productivity, and a 29% increase in profitability.*

The Els for Autism Employment Program Team helps adults secure employment within the community while helping employers fill needed positions.  

• U Can Employ™ (UCE)
• Work Experience (WE) Program  
• Career Exploration & Training (CET) 
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Vendor Services 
• Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Vocational Training & Employment Services   

*Data source: Inclusively & Autism Society

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U Can Employ

U Can Employ (UCE), powered by Els for Autism, serves as a guide for businesses, large and small, to become autism-inclusive employers. UCE services are designed to adapt to each organization’s needs and offer expert guidance, professional training, and on-site coaching. By fostering autism inclusive practices, UCE is helping transform the employment landscape for individuals with autism nationwide through meaningful, sustainable change within businesses. Learn More.

Made possible through the generous support of the Make Waves Family Foundation.

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Work Experience Program

The Els for Autism Work Experience Program is for adults with ASD and other developmental disabilities ages 18+ who have completed high school. The program is designed for those interested in career exploration or who have a goal of paid employment. During the program, participants will engage in hands-on learning and develop skills relating to employment.

Els for Autism offers a 10-week Work Experience Training Program to prepare adults seeking employment in the warehouse, restaurant, hospitality, or healthcare industries. This training program allows participants to learn industry-specific work skills. After completing the program, the graduates are ready to start their careers and add value to businesses. WE partner sites include: Jupiter Medical Center, PGA National Resort, Hilton Garden Inn – Palm Beach Gardens, Palm Beach Gardens Marriott and Big Easy Cafe by Ernie Els.

Els For Autism will maintain a ratio of 1 staff for every 4 participants throughout the program. The Els for Autism staff will remain on the work site property, but will not be working continuously in an individual’s department or immediate area.  

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Our team also offers the WE CONNECT Mentor Program which pairs adults with autism enrolled in the Els for Autism Work Experience (WE) Program with community-based professionals who serve as volunteer mentors. The program supports personal and professional growth through guided mentorship. The program is a 6-month commitment and will be completed virtually. Please review the attached timeline to learn more. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit: Volunteers – Els for Autism

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Work Experience Program Partners

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Career Exploration & Training (CET) 

Career Exploration & Training (CET) at Els for Autism offers introductory vocational training courses in Basic Carpentry, Hotel and Hospitality, Office and Clerical Essentials, Retail, and Food Service to help autistic adults develop job skills and career goals, enhancing their opportunities to become valued and contributing community members.

CET aims to address the critical need for accessible and tailored vocational training for autistic adults, especially those from low-income and underserved communities who may not have access to or qualify for state funding, by using:  

• An evidence-based approach: Our courses are rooted in evidence-based practices for ASD, ensuring effective and engaging learning experiences.  
• Visually engineered vocational labs: Our state-of-the-art labs provide a safe and realistic environment for participants to develop skills transferable to the workplace.  
• A transdisciplinary team: Our professionals, including occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and behavior analysts, provide comprehensive support to participants throughout their training journey and programmatic consultation support to staff.  
• Pre-post knowledge-based assessments and satisfaction surveys: Our team will use pre-post-course skill and knowledge-based assessments and a follow-up satisfaction survey to measure the efficacy and impact of the courses. 

CET Supporters

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Become an Employment Partner

Employers often find that individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities are exceptionally dedicated, excelling in attendance, punctuality, job tenure, and adherence to workplace policies. 

Current Employment Partners

List accurate as of May 2026

Learn More

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Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Vendor Services 

We are an approved provider with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and may provide services to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) participants. For more information on the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and its services, please visit www.rehabworks.org

VR: Employment Services

Employment services, consistent with Title 34, Section 361.48, Code of Federal Regulations, assist an eligible participant with a disability to obtain or maintain competitive integrated employment, consistent with the unique strengths, abilities, interests and informed choice of the participant. VR provides these services through a contractual relationship to authorized, certified and approved Providers who provide this service consistently with the terms described below.

VR: Supported Employment Services

Pursuant to 34 C.F.R. 361.5(c)(53) Supported Employment means competitive integrated employment, including customized employment, or employment in an integrated work setting in which an individual with a most significant disability, including a youth with a most significant disability, is working on a short-term basis toward competitive integrated employment that is individualized and customized consistent with the unique strengths, abilities, interests and informed choice of the individual, including with ongoing support services for individuals with the most significant disabilities: 1. For whom competitive integrated employment has not historically occurred, or for whom competitive integrated employment has been interrupted or intermittent because of a significant disability; and 2. Who, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities, needs intensive Supported Employment services and extended services after the transition from support provided by the designated State unit, in order to perform this work.

VR: On the Job Training  

OJT is a time-limited service for the purpose of participant skill acquisition that can be learned on the job. OJT occurs in an integrated community-based employment setting where most of the employees do not have disabilities and the participant with a disability, who is completing the OJT, is paid no less than minimum wage and interacts with participants without disabilities to the same extent that other participants in comparable positions interact with other persons.

Pre-Placement Training  

This is 20 hours of formal, interactive and structured face-to-face training for adults that consists of both lectures and hands-on activities. Training must be completed prior to Job Placement and must include the following topics:

•Resume writing;

• Instruction on interviewing skills;

• Searching for and applying for jobs online;

• Finding and completing job applications;

• Managing employer initial contacts;

• Handling conflicts;

• Navigating public transportation;

• A review of participant employment benefits, if needed.

Vocational Rehabilitation Career Camp (14-21 years of age-Transition Age Youth)

Career Camp services deliver Pre-Employment Transition services (Pre-ETS) to participants who are eligible or potentially eligible to receive VR services. Through the VR Career Camp, certified Providers deliver Pre-ETS when school is out for at least three consecutive scheduled school days, as indicated by the school board published schedule. The services provided include Work Readiness Training, Self-Advocacy, and Job Exploration Counseling.

The schedule for session hours is:

• Summer – 20 to 50 hours

• Fall – 20 hours

• Winter – 20 to 50 hours

• Spring – 20 hours

50-Hour Career Camp

Stay tuned for updates on our next VR Career Camp

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Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) Vocational Training &  Employment Services   

APD Life Skills Development Level 2 – Supported Employment 

Els for Autism offers supported employment services to help individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities develop the skills and experience needed to secure and maintain meaningful employment. Our team provides comprehensive support, including resume building, interview coaching, and job placement, to match participants with suitable career opportunities based on their unique strengths, interests, and goals.

APD Life Skills Development Level 4 – Prevocational Services

Els for Autism offers personalized learning and work experiences designed to equip individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities with the essential skills for successful, integrated employment. Our programs focus on developing abilities such as effective communication, professional demeanor, task completion, problem-solving, and workplace safety. By matching job placements to individual strengths and preferences, we empower participants to achieve their career goals in community settings.

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Employment Programs Supporter: