DENVER -- A new school is opening in the RiNo district in downtown Denver this fall to foster trade skills in students with autism. The structure is one of a kind in the state and throughout the nation.
The school is called T.A.C.T., standing for Teaching Autism Community Trades. T.A.C.T. currently hosts night and weekend classes. Kids are learning many different trades including auto mechanics, woodworking, fiber arts and instrument making.
In the fall, the school is offering full time credits with the hope to provide a gateway for students into the working world as well.
T.A.C.T. Founder Danny Combs said the autism community is the highest unemployment community in the country ranging from 80 percent – 90 percent.
"We are really trying to practice what we preach and give these kids the opportunity to be successful," said Combs.
Families will enroll their students in vocational classes for credit in the fall. T.A.C.T. school will partner with other schools so students can get credit for their core curriculum classes.
Combs said T.A.C.T. will also be launching construction and auto mechanic LLC companies later this year. The organization will hire autistic students ranging from high school through the transitional years.
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