Investing in autism employment

The Island Now

Spectrum Designs Foundation has been awarded a Matching Grant for $16,691.00 by New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID). The grant enabled Spectrum to purchase three state-of-the-art embroidery machines, enhancing productivity by 100% and adding a minimum of 50 hours of paid employment each week for its workforce of individuals on the Autism spectrum. NYSID’s grant will help Spectrum improve its impact on the local economy by stimulating economic growth, increasing employment and allowing it to respond to the growing demands of the market and their customers.

Spectrum Designs, a non-profit custom apparel and promotional items company, maintains a workforce comprised primarily of individuals with autism. Today, the organization employs 25 individuals with autism in areas of screen printing, embroidery, pre- and post-production, packaging, warehousing, and shipping and fulfillment. Partnering with NYSID as a Preferred Source production solution provider, Spectrum has gained access and opportunities that have helped to propel the mission of providing employment to Autistic individuals. As Spectrum considers replication in other parts of New York State, it is clear that New York’s Preferred Source procurement customers will be pivotal to its growth and dream of continuing to create real and sustainable employment opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities in the future.

“This grant and our ongoing partnership with NYSID will enable Spectrum Designs to advance our commitment to develop in-house processes and trainings, which in turn assists us in securing and maintaining competitive employment for individuals who are traditionally underemployed or unemployed. We are proud to work with NYSID to create jobs for New Yorkers with disabilities,” said Patrick Bardsley, CEO and co-founder of Spectrum Designs.

Submitted by Spectrum Designs

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