For Adults + E=mc2

E=mc2 is an employment advocacy program of the Autism Society of McLean County. It was founded by a small group of parents and professionals concerned about widening employment opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

We seek to facilitate community collaboration in helping people with ASD gain momentum -- to gain greater access, achievement, and dignity for Adults with Autism in McLean County, towards the overarching goal of improved quality of life.

E=mc2 Vision Statement:

E=mc 2 seeks to expand employment opportunities and supports for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) living in McLean County, Illinois.

  • We seek employment opportunities appropriate to individual abilities, able to support a fulfilling quality of life for adults with ASD.
  • Within this process the rights, values, and concerns of ASD adults and families will be respected and integrated.

We have been working on the following objectives. We welcome information, resources, and volunteers who can help us with the effort to secure stable employment for our local ASD population.

E=mc 2 Supporting Objectives:

Identify existing employment programs and resources.

  • Identify existing employment resources and models both within and beyond McLean County.
Build partnerships.
  • Build partnerships and positive relationships with local agencies, individuals, businesses, and organizations.
  • Individuals in McLean County who have ASD may find assistance from the following local agencies: Marcfirst, UPC, and ORS.
    • Besides a comprehensive array of services including day programs, residential services, recreation and leisure programs, Marcfirst offers two programs for individuals with ASD who are seeking employment: supported employment program and developmental training.
    • UCP Land of Lincoln offers vocational skills training for those interested in developing work skills. Training focuses on specific job skills as well as those skills needed to find and keep a job.
    • The Office of Rehabilitation Services (ORS) is a state employment placement program. Their goal is to help all people with a disabilities prepare for, find, and keep employment.


Develop and promote public awareness programs.

  • Develop or identify adult ASD advocacy/awareness materials, media, and presentations.
  • Offer or help identify speakers for events, organizational meetings, and public education.
  • Create program adaptations for specific audiences (e.g., employers, emergency personnel, bus and cab drivers...).


Develop and support employer awareness of strengths, needs, and benefits of employing people with ASD. (See brochure link at top right.)

Cultivate long-term relationships with employers to help link employers with resources, information, and support to help them employ people with ASD.

  • Identify job supports, model business programs, and funding incentives; interview and recruitment alternatives; training; individualized placements matching capabilities to job requirements

Identify on-the-job supports to help ASD adults stay successfully employed.
  • Train co-workers and supervisors.
  • Identify job-specific training and supports for ASD adults.
  • Systematize ongoing support and evaluation (e.g., job coaches, natural supports training, benchmarks...).
     
Address transportation needs to ensure ASD adults are able to get to/from work.

Identify and develop adult learner-focused training programs that support employment opportunities, such as specific training for local service providers or key stakeholders (e.g., first responders, bus drivers, counselors, community colleges, employment agencies, HR managers...)

Address life-long learning needs that support employment opportunities.

  • Identify post-secondary opportunities for ASD adults (e.g., local colleges, vocational ed., special education college, job training and retraining, etc.)
  • Identify opportunities that support employment training.
  • Cultivate relationships and awareness of needs with education providers.

Identify and obtain funding to achieve E=mc 2 goals and objectives, such as grants, endowments, and business partnerships.