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Mike Briggs has been serving as a member of the Board of Directors for an esteemed organization based in Southwest Florida for many years now. The organization goes by the acronym HAAPE, which stands for “Helping Autistic Adults Perform & Excel.”

At its core, it aims to positively transform the lives of individuals with autism by fostering and enabling access to education, training, and employment opportunities that promote both financial and personal independence.

HAAPE support from several reputed organizations

HAAPE has even garnered the support of several reputed organizations such as Aspiritech, Summit Aerospace, Broward County College Center for Supply Chain Education, University of Central Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Stanford University, and Georgia Tech. In fact, a quick glance at their website reveals a total of twenty-seven (27) partners collaborating with and through HAAPE programs.

This strong network of partnerships further strengthens HAAPE’s mission to empower autistic individuals and pave the way towards a more inclusive society. One particular partner, Ken’s Krew, deserves special mention. Ken’s Krew has gained recognition for its innovative approach to providing employment opportunities to individuals with disabilities by matching them with job positions in well-known companies like Home Depot.

HAAPE is proud to be part of this partnership. As Briggs mentioned, HAAPE is just getting started and aims to expand its reach to the entire nation, making a significant impact on the lives of autistic individuals across the United States.

HAAPE Chapter in Chicago

Recently, three organizations – Little Friends, Aspiritech, and Autonomy Works – came together to establish HAAPE Chapter in Chicago. The main objective of this collaboration is to provide training programs and initiatives for individuals on the Autism Spectrum. Both Aspiritech and Autonomy Works specialize in software testing and evaluation, while Little Friends offers courses on Supply Chain and Logistics Management.

Currently, Little Friends is also working to provide CNC Computer Numeric Control operator programming classes, along with other training opportunities such as Avionics Repair and Commercial Drone piloting.  Through HAAPE, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder will have access to a diverse range of courses and training programs that will aid in their personal and professional development of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.

Illinois Autism Center

At Illinois Autism, we are greatly motivated by the success stories of individuals trained through HAAPE and now working in customer service roles at Home Depot. We believe that with the right support and training, individuals on the Autism Spectrum can excel in any field they pursue.

As an Autism-focused organization, we share similar goals with HAAPE and are proud to see its positive impact on the community. For Autism Treatment and Support, don’t hesitate to contact us.