Autism

Center of Excellence

The Els are leading the charge to build a state-of-the-art Autism Center, which broke ground in March 2014 and is scheduled to open for classes in August 2015.

Located in Jupiter, Florida, the center will be an international game changer for the autism community. The campus will include and educational programs for 300 students aged 3-21 with transition to adulthood and vocational programs.

Athletic fields and a small golf course area to help develop life skills through sport are also included within the Center.

Nationally and internationally, through the use of leading edge technology, families, researchers and educators will share and have access to best practices from experts in the field of autism. First and Foremost Hotels will facilitate the introduction of best practices to autism learning institutes in cities where we operate thus facilitating or jobs for autism initiative within our hotels whilst encouraging partners and suppliers to follow suite.

Autism in the Workplace

It is well accepted that in many parts of the world 1 in 68 children are now on the spectrum with this figure being much higher in some areas and boys making up the higher percentage in overall numbers.

We believe that First and Foremost Hotels along with Ernie and Els for Autism can offer substantial opportunities for adults on the spectrum and in doing so encourage other organisations to follow suite. Some areas of employment ideally suited could be:

• Accounts
• Maintenance
• Stores & Logistics
• Sports & Play
• Kitchens
• Landscaping & gardening
• Housekeeping
• Administration