If you are looking for a software company that makes a difference in the world, look no further than nonPareil. This nonprofit technology company is making waves in the mobile marketplace with its innovative apps, but its greatest contribution comes in the form of training and employing people diagnosed with #autism spectrum disorder.
The nonPareil environment
The nonPareil offers a unique and supportive environment for crew members, as they are called, who have an interest in computers and technology. Without tests, grading, or semesters, crew members are free to pursue their interests and focus on their talents. They can also find employment opportunities within the software company, with part-time and full-time positions available.
What sets nonPareil apart is its commitment to serving the unique needs of individuals on the autism spectrum. Co-Founder and President Gary W. Moore, whose son Andrew has autism, established the nonPareil in 2010 to provide meaningful employment opportunities for adults with autism who have an interest in the tech space. The word “nonPareil” means something of no match, no equal, and that is exactly what the organization aims to achieve.
Autism
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in 44 American children are on the autism spectrum, and the disorder affects more than two million individuals in the U.S. and tens of millions worldwide. Many individuals with autism struggle with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication, and repetitive behaviors, which can make it difficult to have a successful career in the professional world. nonPareil is changing that by focusing on crew members’ talents and abilities, rather than their disability.
The learning process at nonPareil is designed to remove the negatives and help crew members create and communicate beyond what might have been possible years ago for someone on the autism spectrum. Interacting with technology is among their favorite things to do, and it is a way for them to connect and express themselves in ways that were once out of reach.
An innovative program
nonPareil is also making waves in the marketplace as a software company. With several products for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices, as well as two books fully written and illustrated by crew members, nonPareil is competing like any other software developer. Other programs have been conceived and built by students-turned-software professionals, proving that nonPareil’s unique approach to training and employment is producing exceptional results.
Through their PowerSourcing program, nonPareil is Putting Autism to Work®, offering affordable technical outsourcing services by adults on the autism spectrum. This program provides crew members with real work opportunities in an inclusive environment, while also offering companies an opportunity to partner with a socially responsible and innovative organization.
People across the country are taking note of nonPareil’s success, with city leadership from across the U.S. expressing interest in opening a location in their respective cities. The organization’s self-sustaining model of training and employment has been highlighted by Autism Speaks, a national advocacy group, and its innovative approach to empowering individuals with autism has been the subject of national town hall meetings held at universities across the country.
If you want to support a software company that is making a real difference in the world, nonPareil is the clear choice. Their commitment to providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum is inspiring, and their innovative products and programs are setting a new standard for social responsibility in the tech industry.
About the Author Tonya Spell
Tonya Spell is the Director of Business Development at nonPareil , a not-for-profit that trains and employs adults with autism spectrum disorder in technology fields. She has over 20 years of experience in technical recruiting and business development. She joined nonPareil in 2022 and is responsible for building strategic partnerships with companies that can outsource technical work to inclusive teams at nonPareil. She also helps create opportunities for students and graduates to showcase their skills and talents in video game development, mobile app development, animation and software testing. Tonya is passionate about empowering adults with autism to live more productive and independent lives.
This is a guest writer for DSV Consulting LLC and continues our commitment to socially beneficial causes that affect us all.