How PilotCity Configures Programs for Students with Disabilities

Over the years, district administrators have approached us at PilotCity with a vision: to utilize our platform to empower students with disabilities. We have embraced this mission wholeheartedly, inspired in part by Marley Maduakolam, a two-time PilotCity alum with autism. Marley’s journey exemplifies the potential for individuals with disabilities to thrive in our programs and beyond.

In 2018, Marley joined our program and secured an internship with InstaVR, a virtual reality company. His classroom project, hosted on our platform, explored the hidden stories of individuals in his school—including his own experiences as a student in special education. When he transitioned to the internship, he continued this documentation work, inspiring everyone involved. His success proved that with the right opportunities and support, individuals with disabilities can excel in meaningful career pathways.

Since then, we have committed ourselves to developing programs that meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. One of our latest initiatives was the Summer 2024 “Launch Pad” program with Sacramento City Unified School District. This program supported 10 students as they worked with instructors to select employers, personalize projects to align with their interests, and ultimately present their capstone projects to the district’s superintendent and other stakeholders. The results were outstanding, culminating in recorded presentations that showcased their success.

Building a Platform for Inclusive Success

Based on our experiences, we are investing in features and resources to make PilotCity’s platform even more inclusive:

• Hiring Alumni for Development: Marley Maduakolam has joined our team under California’s Department of Rehabilitation funds. Alongside another alum, Thryambak Ganapathy, who is pursuing a career in medicine, we’re designing features grounded in scientific research to better serve students with disabilities.
• Innovative Tools: We’re prioritizing tools like text-to-speech and speech-to-text capabilities, self-guided activities, and multi-modal input/output options. Additionally, we’re collaborating with organizations like the Perkins School for the Blind to evaluate and enhance our platform.
• Community Building: Features such as resume building, intentional community support, and pathways to employment are crucial for students with disabilities. These elements can significantly impact their post-secondary lifestyles, reducing reliance on caretakers and empowering independence.

Best Practices for Configuring Programs for Students with Disabilities

Here are seven key strategies we use to configure our programs for this population:

1. Extreme Personalization: We customize project scopes to align with students’ strengths, passions, career interests, and goals. This tailored approach ensures each student is met exactly where they are.
2. Local Employer Options: By selecting employers near students’ schools or residences, we make internships and job opportunities more accessible without requiring extensive transportation support.
3. Repetition for Skill Building: Students benefit from completing our 1-hour “Brainstorm Project Ideas” program multiple times (e.g., four iterations). This repetition reinforces skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and project pitching, building confidence and competence.
4. Prioritizing Personalized Programs: While pre-made programs are available, we encourage students to design their own programs. This approach fosters ownership and aligns projects with their unique capabilities and interests.
5. Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text Features: These initial multi-modal tools allow students to engage with content in ways that match their strengths, whether through listening or speaking.
6. 1:1 SMS Assistance: We’re introducing an SMS-driven assistant powered by alumni mentors and augmented by AI. This support system provides guidance, mentorship, and troubleshooting tailored to individual needs.
7. Reflective Journaling: Our journaling tool enables students to reflect on their challenges, obstacles, and achievements. This optional resource encourages self-awareness and facilitates support when needed.

A Commitment to Growth

These practices represent just the beginning of our journey to support students with disabilities. As we continue to work with this population, we will refine and expand these strategies, leveraging new technologies and insights to ensure every student can thrive. At PilotCity, we believe in the power of opportunity—and we are dedicated to creating a platform where all students can succeed, no matter their challenges.