April is Autism Acceptance Month, and Spectrum Designs in Port Washington kicked off a new public campaign to highlight the talents of people on the autism spectrum.
"This is extremely important because there is so much talent here that might have gone undiscovered if people with autism were not given a chance," says Dylan Valic, an employee at Spectrum Designs.
A total of 60% of the workforce at Spectrum Designs are on the autism spectrum. Analysts estimate the U.S. unemployment rate for people with cognitive disorder is 85%.
New York lawmakers are considering a bill that would direct the state Labor Department to establish a voluntary training and certification program for companies that support an inclusive workplace.
"It's amazing when you give someone a chance and they prove themselves," says CEO, Patrick Bardsley of Spectrum Designs.