The PARClife Foundation is committed to bridging the widening gap in support for the education, vocational training, employment, and independent living those in our community with *autism or related thinking and learning differences will need throughout their lives. We are equally committed to creating a rich, inclusive culture within our surrounding community, where everyone is included and valued, by increasing diverse and interactive opportunities through our service-learning projects.

 

We help *neurodiverse and other abled learners in our community engage with the skills that will lead to successful life transitions by assisting them in developing personal tools such as self-determination, career, and technical skills, as well as inclusive social skills through community involvement, independent living in the least restrictive environments possible, and paid work experience through our community-designed micro-businesses.

 

The PARClife Foundation believes everyone deserves to live their best life. Our work responds to the gap in post-school success between learners with disabilities and their neurotypical peers (Haber et al., 2016; Test, Mazzoti, et al., 2009), has practical benefits for those in our community with *autism or related thinking and learning differences, their families, and the community at large. By addressing this gap, we are improving the lives of those community members and positively impacting their families and the community as a whole.

 

*PARClife Foundation respectfully acknowledges the diversity of perspectives regarding the use of identity or person-first language. We value both perspectives and honor the preferences and perspectives of each family and learner.