ARTreach “Within my Reach” Vocational Art Training Program supporting life skills and transition
ARTreach “Within my Reach” Vocational Art Training Program for children and adults with special needs (DARS Pilot 2010)
ARTreach partnered with DARS (Disability and Rehabilitation Services) to pilot an 18-week Vocational Art Training Program to aid in the transition of high school graduates with autism. DARS identified graduate Abid Syed to participate in the pilot based on his high level of interest in the arts and teacher recommendations. The program goal 
would be to ascertain Abid’s ability to follow instructions independently, and access his own creative processes to create and reproduce individual art works that could be sold. Abid’s training included a variety of drawing techniques and art making processes that resulted in artwork for public exhibition. Examples of his finished work of art were reproduced as sets of note cards to present a cohesive, professional product for DARs review of vocational objectives.
Abid’s cards were sold within the 6 days after being displayed in the lobby of local banks. His cards met with positive response from multiple viewers and prove to be able to generate income for the student. It is important to note that these customers have no knowledge of Abid’s autism and are purchasing the cards for their aesthetic appeal.
Thank you DARS for supporting Abid Syed’s ARTreach vocational training and artistic development. This pilot was also made possible through the community support of many and a grant from the Fort Bend Junior Service League supporting ARTreach “Within My Reach” program development and exhibitions for special needs children and adults through vocational art and entrepreneurial training.
