DigitalCommons@ILR

The K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability in the ILR School is pleased to partner with DXC Technology (DXC) to facilitate distribution in North America of materials developed for DXC's Dandelion Program. The Dandelion Program can assist interested organizations and individuals to develop a program to provide skilled employment for people on the Autism Spectrum.

The three-year program develops technical, life, and executive functioning skills within participating individuals. Year One is focused on job awareness, including onboarding, introduction into the work role, internal training modules, and establishing a pipeline of work with stakeholders. In Year Two, participants progress from job awareness to concentrate on self-advocacy, independence, and confidence. Pod Members build a strong IT resume with relevant certifications, training, and a track record of successful project work. Year Three focuses on transition to independent careers and sets trainees up for success outside the support structure.

DXC Technology is working with the Yang-Tan Institute to offer The Dandelion Program’s methodology and materials to other organizations. This will leverage the valuable knowledge and experience DXC has gained and share the tools created within the Dandelion Program with the wider autism community in order to build careers, resilience, and self-confidence. These materials can help an organization support and promote neurodiversity from recruitment through onboarding, development and job progression, to create a sustainable program that reduces employment churn and increases opportunity for people on the autism spectrum.

For further information please contact: Susanne Bruyère at ilr_yti@cornell.edu.