HANDSmade™ Internship with The Independence Academy & Riley Children’s Health
This semester’s HANDS in Autism®’s HANDSmade™ program—involves a collaboration with The Independence Academy (IA) and Riley Children’s Health. These partnerships deepen our commitment to creating meaningful employment and transition opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental or social-communication challenges.
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What is HANDSmade™?
Since its founding in 2010, the HANDSmade™ program has provided a supported employment model where individuals with ASD or other developmental differences can engage in real work experiences in a structured, coached environment. Participants build skills in various work domains—such as hospitality, material assembling, supply chain tasks, data entry, sensory kit assembly, environmental services, and more—while receiving support to increase independence, social confidence, and job readiness. https://handsinautism.iu.edu/training-services/programs-services/programs-and-services-list/handsmade-internship.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Hand-made products you see from the HANDS in Autism® store? Many are produced or filled by HANDSmade™ interns.
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Ongoing Partner: The Independence Academy
The Independence Academy (IA) is a school serving 3rd-through-12th grade students on the autism spectrum, where academic, social, and life skills are all emphasized. The Independence Academy
By partnering with IA, HANDSmade™ will be able to extend its reach into the educational setting—identifying potential interns earlier, aligning transition planning with school curricula, and offering students immersive work experiences as they move toward graduation and employment. This gives students an opportunity to practice job-skills while still in the safety of their school environment, under supervision and support.
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Riley Children’s Health’s Role
Riley Children’s Health, one of Indiana’s premier pediatric health systems, has already been an important collaborator in the HANDSmade™ program. Internal departments and units within Riley provide work opportunities and partner in creating inclusive work environments.
With the partnership including IA, Riley’s involvement helps bridge from school-based transition into actual health system employment settings or community integrated work settings. This aids in supporting supported co-worker models, awareness, and full inclusion of individuals with developmental disabilities in the workplace.
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Why This Matters
•Earlier Skill Development: Students at IA will benefit from earlier exposure to job-skills, vocational interests, and supported work routines.
•Smoother Transition: When transition planning starts within the school with real work exposure, the shift into post-school employment or further training tends to be smoother.
•Inclusion and Equity: Employers and departments (like those at Riley) engaging in HANDSmade™ increase inclusion—both through providing actual work roles and through modeling supportive work culture.
•Quality of Life Improvements: For participants, work isn't just about tasks—it’s about gaining independence, meaningful community engagement, self-esteem, and financial benefits. HANDSmade™ tracks these as part of individualized transition goals.
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What’s Next & How You Can Be Part of It
•Interested students at IA should reach out to their transition coordinators or school guidance staff to learn how HANDSmade™ internships can be integrated into their plans.
•Community partners & employers: there are opportunities to host HANDSmade™ interns, serve as worksites, or collaborate with HANDS in Autism to expand offerings.
•Families: this collaboration means more chances for your student to engage in job-readiness, assessing what kinds of work they enjoy and where they can succeed.
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For More Information
Please reach out to us at hands@iu.edu.
