Building opportunity for different kinds of minds
Creating pathways for neurodivergent individuals to discover, develop and share their strengths
Too much potential is still going undiscovered
Autistic adults face some of the highest barriers to employment and meaningful participation in the workforce. Too often, the environments, systems and expectations around work leave little room for different ways of thinking, learning and contributing.
We believe there is another way
Our purpose
Research, train and implement real skills for neurodivergent people.
We learn from the community, turn learning into hands-on experience and reimagine what work can look like when it’s designed around the individual
1. Research
We listen. We observe. We discover what’s possible.
We learn alongside neurodivergent individuals, families, educators and community partners to better understand how people learn, work, communicate and thrive.
Through our partnership with TERI Foundation, we learn from real experiences and turn what we discover into knowledge that can help shape more inclusive opportunities.
2. Train
Learning looks different for everyone.
We create hands-on opportunities to explore skills, discover strengths and build confidence through meaningful work.
From woodworking and sewing to screen printing, assembly, inventory, sales, packaging and shipping, participants learn by working with real tools, real materials and real experiences.
3. Implement
The person comes first. The work follows.
We explore what happens when environments, tools and instructions are designed around the individual.
From specialized tools to different ways of communicating and learning, we adapt the experience to support each person’s strengths, needs and ways of thinking.
we serve those who are overlooked
We believe potential is everywhere. Opportunity just has to meet it.
Why the world needs Doodle Pirates
Plenty of programs teach skills. We’re building what’s next.
We research, learn, build and share new ways to create meaningful opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.
Research
Listen. Observe. Discover.
We learn alongside the neurodivergent community to better understand how people learn, work and thrive.
Train
Learn by doing. Build through experience.
Hands-on experiences give neurodivergent adults opportunities to explore skills, discover strengths and learn through meaningful work.
KENGO
Helping the person stay at the center.
KENGO brings a person’s strengths, experiences and goals together to build a personalized job role tailored to them.
Share
What we learn shouldn’t stay with us.
We share our research, resources and insights openly so other organizations can build on what we discover and create more inclusive opportunities for all.
Real Stories. Real People.
Help us keep building
Donate
Help create the next opportunity
Your donation supports hands-on learning, research and the development of new opportunities for the neurodivergent community.
Shop
Support the work and take something meaningful home
Purchase a limited-edition product and help support the people, partnerships and opportunities behind it.
Partner or Work with us
Bring the mission into your community
Partner with us through programs, research, education, employment or other collaborations that help expand opportunity for neurodivergent individuals.
Notes from the journey
A short letter each month about what we’re learning, what we’re building and what’s possible when we create opportunity differently