Educational Partners

Howie mentors young adults on the spectrum, as a job coach for the animation industry, and collaborating as a content creator/brand builder. Also, while functioning as a production studio for paid work, the emphasis is to work as a Creative Shop, featuring autistic writers and art directors with autism.

Autism Theater Project (ATP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit creating educational and professional opportunities for people of all abilities. Through ATP Productions, our professional theater, television, and music company, we create jobs for people with autism and related conditions, and help them build the skills needed to succeed professionally in the arts.

Gifted artists with and without disabilities collaborate to create productions that emphasize how everyone has a voice that can change the world—no matter their mode of communication.

Recognized by international film festivals, our productions for the stage and screen inspire mainstream audiences to lead limitless lives.

ATP also brings our work into schools and organizations through production-based learning and drama workshops that build empathy, resilience, social skills, and communication. We offer performance-based acting coaching for students and professionals with a range of conditions and experience levels.

Instead of primarily offering traditional classroom-style instruction, AVA is now centered around project-based immersion. Members will learn by participating in real creative productions while receiving workshops and guidance exactly when they need them. Whether we’re producing drama and comedy podcasts, children’s audiobooks, commercials, video games, or other exciting media projects, members will gain hands-on experience in an engaging, collaborative environment.

This approach allows members to develop practical skills while experiencing the excitement of working on real productions from start to finish.

New lower membership fee is now $29!  All inclusive with now additional charges for all projects.

heidi@neurodivergentvoiceactors.org

robin@neurodivergentvoiceactors.org

Blu Star Productions is a company founded by an artist with a disability for artists with disabilities. Our goal is to empower disabled artists and creators across the globe with the resources needed to showcase their groundbreaking talents. From Autism Spectrum Disorder to ADHD, Blu Star artists will be given a platform to create provocative content that defies expectations while reaching the widest audience possible.

Through our own content and the content of our partners, we will be a champion for a more inclusive film and entertainment industry

As an educational partner, the Brainstorm crew will share their insights and expertise with those who are curious about careers in animation and related digital arts. The Brainstorm mission is to nourish the energies of neurodiverse artists, plus ignite these special creators’ imaginative sparks. Brainstorm’s core seven tenets are simple but profound: Creativity, diversity, integrity, quality, collaboration, equality, and respect.

Brainstorm Productions is the DBA for CLU Transitions. The Center for Learning Unlimited (CLU) is home to a swiftly growing animation career training program for adults on the autism spectrum. As CLU sister creative and digital arts studio, Brainstorm Productions offers paid workplace experience for CLU animation alumni. Brainstorm Productions proudly presents compensated job opportunities for those with CLU animation diplomas.

Capy Studios is a small, fun, family-owned production company based in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Our current project, “Marty’s Place” is a children’s educational TV show, combining puppetry, animation and live action, that celebrates creativity and community while exploring deep themes like love and patience through the adventures of Marty, a wise and adventurous capybara who transforms between puppet and animated forms, and his human friend, a young, uniquely gifted animator named Ian. Please check us out at CapyStudios.com. Have a Capy Day!

At Chance Theater, we believe every voice deserves to be heard—and every story has the power to spark connection. Through our Spectrum Speak Up program, individuals on the autism spectrum engage in a free, immersive arts experience that blends acting, writing, improvisation, and performance to help participants discover and share their unique voice.

Rooted in our commitment to compassionate, inclusive storytelling, our programs extend beyond the stage—offering meaningful mentorship and pathways to employment within the arts. Through hands-on training, collaboration with professional artists, and a supportive ensemble environment, participants build creative and career-ready skills while gaining confidence and community.

From bold theatrical productions to transformative outreach and educational initiatives, Chance Theater is proud to foster a more connected, compassionate, and creative world—one story at a time.

DaniMation Entertainment believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to pursue their passions and achieve their dreams. They are so excited to play an active role in the conference by sharing valuable advice and guidance with aspiring talent interested in pursuing an educational path in the entertainment industry. They are committed to helping artists realize their full potential and develop a pathway to self-sufficiency.

The Ed Asner Family Center (TEAFC) is an all-encompassing resource dedicated to elevating the lives of special needs individuals and their families. The Center is a nonprofit, co-founded by Navah Paskowitz-Asner and Matthew Asner inspired by their 3 autistic sons. Our mission is to be a Center of acceptance and enrichment for those seeking wholeness in all attitudes of life. Our support extends beyond the special needs individual to the entire family, through a wide variety of mental health services and groundbreaking interactive programs. The center proudly makes it policy to employ Autistic self-advocates as camp counselors, educators, and assistants.

As an educational partner, Exceptional Minds will play an active role in the conference, sharing valuable insights and advice with aspiring talent who are interested in pursuing an educational path in the entertainment industry. They are excited to contribute their expertise and help empower individuals on the autism spectrum to pursue their passion for animation, visual effects, and 3D gaming.

Exceptional Minds is an academy and studio preparing young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in animation, visual effects, 3D gaming and other related fields in the entertainment industry. We provide technical and work readiness training customized to help students achieve their full artisitc and professional potential.

As an educational partner, Game Gen Inc.  will play an active role in the conference, sharing valuable insights and advice with aspiring talent who are interested in pursuing and educational path in game design. They will contribute their expertise and help those on the spectrum establish their careers in the exciting world of video game design.

GameU provides premium online coding courses, with a social mission to promote accessibility in video game design. Our courses teach students of all ages and abilities how to design and build their own video games from scratch, just like the Pros do! GameU was founded by a gaming industry pro who was frustrated by the amount of time his kids spent zoning out in front of a screen. GameU rapidly grew into a live online learning platform that uses video games to teach kids of all abilities valuable Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math skills through fun and engaging classes.

As an educational partner, Inclusion Films will share their expertise and support the inclusion of talented individuals on the autism spectrum in the film industry. Get ready to roll and join us as we showcase how neurodiverse talent can shine in the entertainment industry. Let’s make movie magic together!

Inclusion Films is a company started in 2007 by filmmaker Joey Travolta that aims to teach the art of film making to people with developmental disabilities. There are seven known locations in California as well as traveling camps for youths with special needs.

Jazz Hands for Autism is a 501(c)(3) talent advocacy group that creates pathways to expressions, employment, and inclusion for musically motivated individuals with autism and other diagnoses. We are working towards a world where individuals on the autism spectrum are fully integrated members of society who are confident in their ability to make a valued social, cultural, and economic impact. We like to refer to ourselves as a talent advocacy program because at JHFA we are about musicians first and neurodiversity second. We have a variety of programs but our main infrastructure is powered by the Jazz Hands Musicians Academy.

As an educational partner, JDS Creative Academy will share their expertise and support the inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum in the entertainment industry. Their contribution will empower aspiring talent to pursue educational paths in visual, performing, and digital arts and digital production.

Journey Through The Senses, an international nonprofit organization, explores and celebrates the vast universe of human sensory perception though the lens of art, performance, science, technology, and interactive installations.

The Miracle Project is a fully inclusive theater, film, and expressive arts program focused on building communication, job skills, and social skills for neurodivergent individuals with and without disabilities.

Using groundbreaking and evidence-based methods developed by our founder, Elaine Hall, The Miracle Project focuses on the strengths and abilities inherent in each participant while developing a unique neurodiverse community.

Founded in 1998, Performing Arts Studio West (PASW) provides hands-on individualized training, career management, and on-location support for performers with DD/ID working in film, television and commercials. Our year round training program gives each participant the chance to explore their creativity, test their courage, show their determination and build their self-esteem. PASW is a non-profit affiliated arts program funded by the State of California Department of Developmental Services through the Regional Centers of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Samurais of Sound is a fully remote vocational music and media program supporting neurodivergent young adults through collaborative creative projects, digital skill development, and community-based learning experiences.

I’ve included the overview and scheduling link below again for convenience if you’d ever like to explore whether the program could be relevant for individuals or families you support.

The Silver Drawing Academy, founded by the renowned character designer Stephen Silver, is a groundbreaking online art school dedicated to enhancing artistic skills through accessible and affordable short-form video tutorials. Leveraging Silver’s extensive experience in character design across animation, illustration, and entertainment, the academy provides a unique opportunity for aspiring artists to learn from a master in the field. With a commitment to affordability, the academy’s curated tutorials cover a wide range of topics, from foudational principles to advanced techniques, catering to artists of all levels. Whether you’re a beginner seeking to grasp the basics or an experienced artist looking to refine your craft, the Silver Drawing Academy offers a supportive learning environment to unlock creative potential and thrive in the dynamic world of character design.

Grassroots disability rights/social justice non-profit organization serving marginalized communities, to bridge the gap in access to quality health, education, and career development for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities, through advocacy, empowerment, and collaborative partnerships.

As a committed education partner, they will be actively engaging with aspiring talent who are interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, sharing valuable insights and advice to help empower neurodivergent and autistic artists in film, acting, voiceover, music, and animation.

VAA will be a crucial educational partner in the conference, sharing valuable insights and advice with aspiring talent who are interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. They believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential  and achieve self-sufficiency, and are excited to contribute their expertise to help make this a reality for artists on the autism spectrum.

Yes I Can Through Music and Education Inc. (YIC) believes individuals with disabilities should have the same right as non-disabled individuals to have access to a full range of available employment opportunities and to earn a living wage in a job of their choosing based on their talents, skills, and interests. This includes access to quality training and employment services to aid individuals with disabilities in obtaining gainful employment in a field of their interest and choosing.

YIC’s purpose is to give people with disabilities: 1) greater independence in their daily lives; 2) greater access to quality career skills training and employment services, assisting them in learning marketable industry skills to be able to secure and maintain competitive integrated employment; 3) access to innovative supports and services to meet existing and emerging needs in the areas of career skills training and employment; and 4) greater access to opportunities to work in non-sheltered settings.

The primary goal of YIC is to facilitate participants’ successful transition to life after high school into gainful employment. To achieve this goal, our program utilizes a person-centered planning model based on each individual’s needs, abilities, skills, personal interests and goals.

VAA will be a crucial educational partner in the conference, sharing valuable insights and advice with aspiring talent who are interested in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry. They believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to realize their full potential and achieve self-sufficiency, and are excited to contribute their expertise to help make this a reality for artists on the autism spectrum.