The $ 51 million center, funded mainly by donors and up to $ 15 million by Quebec, will allow the À pas de Géant school to expand its services to people with autism of all ages. But $ 7 million has yet to be found from other donors and the federal government.
The Provencher Roy architectural firm designed the establishment according to the specific sensory and perceptual needs of people with autism
. Once erected, it will house a school, an adult education and employment center, a resource and community center as well as a research and innovation center.
The dignitaries dug the first shovelful of earth on December 13, 2021 for the construction of the À pas de Géant autism center in the Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie borough.
Photo: Giant’s Steps
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With his Autist & Major Foundation, Charles Lafortune supports this project and believes that it can be part of the solutions to the current labor shortage. The star host is himself the father of an autistic child.
« The center will allow people with autism to be integrated into businesses, but also give these businesses the assurance of knowing how to integrate them. »
Among other things, you’ll find a mini-grocery store like the one installed at the Wagar Adult Education Center in Montreal and resulting from a partnership with Loblaws. Students can learn the role of clerk and be better prepared to enter a real establishment. They also find it a source of satisfaction and gain self-confidence.
If I keep practicing, it will allow me to be ready for the job market
, told us Charles-Edouard Joannides who, at 26, is taking the training.
According to the employability specialist of the Polaris Entreprise program at the Wagar center, Fabrienne Presenty, people with autism are able to do any type of job
. But employers’ fear of the unknown is a problem. They still need to be open to the diversity and skills of these people.
, she argues.
Students from the Wagar Adult Education Center practice in a mini-store.
Photo: Radio-Canada
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Satisfied companies
Food company Sager recently jumped in and hired two people with autism. It’s a success for us, argues its president Anthony Fata, and honestly we would take five more tomorrow morning!
The tasks of these new workers remain relatively simple and repetitive, but there is something for everyone.
« People adapt well to the work environment and integrate very well. »
Although autism spectrum disorder is vast, with some suffering more than others, anything would be possible according to the project manager for employment initiatives at the À pas de Géant school, Andre Pereira. We believe that everyone can work with the necessary support
, he says.
Mr. Pereira adds that it’s not about charity or corporate social responsibility
and that people with autism will be a proper part of their business model. He takes for example multinationals like SAP, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft who have revised their recruitment process to promote neurodiversity, and then observed productivity gains and new business capacities.
The Center for Inclusion and Citizenship at the University of British Columbia revealed in 2018 that 89% of Canadian businesses that have hired an autistic worker find that they are at least as productive as average.
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