This Makati School Helps PWDs Find Full-time Employment

Despite the existence of a law that provides people with disabilities (PWDs) equal employment opportunities, many still experience widespread discrimination and struggle with high unemployment rates. Vanguard Academy, an inclusive school in Makati, is changing this narrative through its Transcend Program—a groundbreaking initiative that offers both neurotypical individuals (those who do not have a diagnosed neurological disorder) and neurodivergent learners (people with neurological conditions) a chance to build fulfilling careers, starting with a strong academic foundation that guides them towards achieving independence and employment.

“The Transcend Program was launched in 2021 and is designed to provide individuals with the right support to foster independence and personal growth,” explains Transcend Program co-director Bernadette Emperado. The program is open to students at least 18 years of age who are capable of self-care and have functional communication skills, whether verbal or through alternative methods. This includes students of all abilities, including individuals with autism, Down syndrome, ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities), and cerebral palsy.

Transcend focuses on three core areas or strands: education, housing, and employment. The education strand helps students expand their knowledge while honing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The housing strand encourages self-reliance and decision-making through overnight stays and community engagements. Lastly, the employment strand immerses students in internships, hands-on training, and work placements, allowing them to develop essential workplace skills that increase employability.

To date, 37 companies have partnered with Vanguard Academy. These include multinational and local organizations such as Cebu Pacific, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL), ABS-CBN, and Mumuso, among others.

Real Work in Diverse Workplaces

“Students who are part of the Transcend program are matched with jobs that align with their abilities and career interests,” says Emperado. For example, Vanguard students have taken on retail work at Mumuso and United Colors of Benetton, office jobs at Shell Shared Services and Cebu Pacific, and housekeeping roles at the Manila Marriott Hotel. They’ve also experienced being a barista at CBTL and even doing creative work at digital agencies like SVEN and non-profit organizations like the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI).

With the help of job coaches who provide full-time support to Transcend’s partner companies, students are able to confidently navigate professional settings. Each internship follows a structured approach—students first observe their supervisor performing the assigned tasks before they are asked to perform the same tasks under supervision and with guided support. Finally, they are entrusted to complete tasks independently.

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Over time, job coaches reduce their supervision to periodic check-ins, giving interns more independence and strengthening their decision-making skills. This also allows the partner company to foster inclusivity, empowering employees to become more adept at supporting the interns and creating a more collaborative work environment. This approach, says Emperado, “ensures a successful and enriching learning experience for all parties involved.”

The teachers of Transcend

A Shot at Full-time Employment

Since the program’s launch, 31 student PWDs have collectively completed over 10,000 internship hours. One has successfully become a full-time barista at CBTL, and another is in the process of regularization.

Beacon Gallardo, a 23-year-old neurodivergent, started his internship at CBTL in May 2023. By June 2024, he had passed an exam and officially joined CBTL as a full-time employee. “I work Monday to Saturday and on holidays,” he shares during a speech at the Vanguard Academy Open House. “I already have a salary, and I’m saving until December so I can buy anything [I want] for Christmas.”

“We want to strengthen our network of community partners for inclusion by establishing partnerships with 250 companies over the next nine years,” says Transcend Program co-director Bernadette Emperado. 

For Gallardo’s parents, the Transcend program has been life-changing. His mom, Jai, shares, “Beacon has developed a higher level of independence. Over the years, he has shown progress, but with the program, he can do many things on his own. He can get ready for work and book and ride a Grab car by himself. He decides where and what to eat during his lunch break.”

He’s also become more confident when he is with a group of people. I believe he has become aware of his capabilities and the things he can still do and achieve,” she adds.

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment

Beacon’s success story proves that with proper support and guidance, differently-abled individuals, including both neurotypical and neurodivergent, can thrive and excel in various work environments. Through its Transcend Program, Vanguard Academy hopes to bridge the gap between education and employment for students with disabilities, enabling more differently-abled adults to become productive members of society.

“We want to strengthen our network of community partners for inclusion by establishing partnerships with 250 companies over the next nine years,” shares Emperado. “Our future plans also include training more job and life coaches for the program’s housing and employment strands.”

Ultimately, the hope is to increase the number of fully employed PWDs in the Philippines. “Together, we are building boundless futures where everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” says Emperado. “Together, we can break barriers and pave the path for workplace inclusion.”