366: Neuro-Inclusive construction in the rockies

“The call to action  is to start looking at the neurodiverse community and recognize that there is this incredible group of people…and they need to be invested in.” In this conversation, Devon Tilly and co-host Matt McMullen chat with Danny Combs about the construction workforce, the trades, and the autistic community in Colorado!  Keep up with the Art of Construction (AOC) podcast on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! Danny is a leading voice in creating equitable futures for neurodistinct individuals in business and equality of opportunity for the entire disability community. Mr. Combs is the inaugural Director of the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, Colorado’s senior strategic and policy agency housed in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, working with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor to help make Colorado the best state in the country for people with disabilities. He is the founder of TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades), the state of Colorado’s leading transition to employment and training organization, and the co-founder of the Colorado Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce, the first neurodiverse chamber in the country. Danny has brought together over 100 businesses to build better opportunities, pay, and career advancement for neurodistinct individuals. His organizations have raised tens of millions in funding to create scholarships to serve all socioeconomic classes. In addition to being a leader in the community, Danny has worked with multiple Grammy and Oscar-winning artists, and the music program he developed in Nashville won a Grammy Enterprise Award. Mr. Combs is also an Air Force Reservist who serves his country in the 4th Space Warning Squadron and the 42nd Combat Training Squadron in the 310th Space Wing. His leadership, community development, and social innovation have been recognized in the White House and Pentagon on NBC, ABC, PBS, CBS, Fox, the Denver Business Journal, Epoch Times, News Nation, Classy, and more. In 2024, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor Society Citizen Honor Award. With his dedication to the community, Danny is also a Senior Fellow at the Community Impact Policy Institute in New York, a board member of Florida-based HAAPE, a Co-Chair of the NeurodiverseAF, a committee member for the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Council on Buckley Space Force Base, an Advisory Member for Career and Technical (CTE) Education, and part of the Employment Taskforce for the Autism Society of America. Finally, he has been published multiple times on his thoughts, practices, and leadership about community development, social innovation, transition, autism, and employment. His book “Supporting Neurodivergent and Autistic People for Their Transition into Adulthood, Blueprints for Education, Training, and Employment” reached number 1 on Amazon.com. Most importantly, he’s a father of two amazing kids. Read Danny's book: Supporting Neurodivergent and Autistic People for Their Transition into Adulthood: Blueprints for Education, Training, and Employment! Purchase at Barnes and Noble or Amazon. Danny Combs in the press:  Colorado Sun - Autism trade school  Biz Journals - Executive voice Danny Combs  AFRC - Spotlight on Air Force reservist community leader  ISSUU  Biz Journals - Neurodiversity Chamber of Commerce Colorado  Denver Gazette - TACT award winner Additional videos on neurodiversity in the workforce: T.A.C.T.: Changing the Zeitgeist Around Autism in Employment T.A.C.T News Nation Now - Musician turned veteran works to uplift people with autism  Danny Combs, 2024 Citizen Honors Service Act Awardee Additional reading on neurodiversity in the workforce: Neurodiversity in the workplace  Values driven culture business success  5 ways to embrace universal design in your communication department  7 reasons to embrace national disability employment awareness month  The great resignations: Untapped talent in the autism community Embracing Neurodiversity in the skilled trades Neurodivergent workplaces inclusivity innovation ADHD Neurodiversity in employment  Subscribe to us and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!