Two experts in neurodiversity from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) have been selected to play a crucial role in helping Melwood, one of the nation’s largest employers of people with disabilities, execute a transformative five-year project. This initiative, valued at $8 million, is focused on expanding a skills-based training program designed to unlock the untapped potential of neurodivergent individuals. Specifically, the program aims to prepare participants for successful careers in the rapidly growing fields of information technology and cybersecurity.
The project, which is supported by a generous grant from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as approximately $2 million in contributions from Melwood’s donors and operating funds, will extend the program’s reach to new participants in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and Oregon. This expansion marks a significant step in Melwood’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion and providing career opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Leading the charge for the University of Maryland’s involvement in this initiative are Kathy Dow-Burger and Nancy Forsythe. Dow-Burger, the Friedman Family Director of Neurodiversity and Autism Transition Services in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, and Forsythe, a disability inclusion specialist at BSOS’ Feller Center for Advising and Career Planning, have long been dedicated to advancing the integration of neurodivergent individuals into the workforce. For years, they have worked tirelessly to help Melwood connect with employers and neurodivergent individuals, including students from the University of Maryland. In their new roles within the $8M Employment Project, they will continue their efforts, fostering connections between Melwood and regional employers, as well as identifying potential participants for the program.
“This public-private partnership will enable us to implement a strategy to solve national labor shortages in the IT and tech industry while strengthening the ability of regional nonprofits to provide critically needed programming to advance careers for people with disabilities,” said Melwood President and CEO Larysa Kautz. “We are thrilled to have the University of Maryland and others as important partners on this project.”
In addition to their role in connecting participants with employers, Dow-Burger and Forsythe will also be contributing to another essential component of the project. They will support efforts to gather valuable feedback from both program participants and employers. Through surveys and direct observations, the team will assess participants’ satisfaction with the program and the workplace, as well as employers’ evaluations of the program’s impact on their work environment. This feedback will be instrumental in fine-tuning the program and ensuring its long-term success.
For Dow-Burger, this project represents more than just a career milestone—it’s an opportunity to create lasting change. “I hope this project will ultimately provide more opportunities for individuals with neurodiverse needs,” she said, “and for the University of Maryland to continue to make significant strides in this field.” She also emphasized that the project offers UMD a chance to continue leading the charge in the neurodiversity movement, particularly in the realm of employment. Being part of larger grants like this allows UMD to showcase its expertise in neurodiversity at work, in research, and in outreach, benefiting both neurodivergent individuals and the community as a whole.
Through this groundbreaking initiative, the $8M Employment Project is helping to build a future where neurodivergent individuals can thrive in the workplace, particularly in high-demand sectors like IT and cybersecurity. By expanding the program’s reach and continuing to foster collaboration with institutions like the University of Maryland, Melwood and its partners are not only providing opportunities for individuals but also addressing critical labor shortages that affect industries nationwide.
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