Adults with disabilities find work training
A San Antonio program serving 170 adults expands its career track as local data reveals a massive gap in available services for residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
By Layla Richardson ·
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Bexar County face a shortage of structured daily activities and career preparation opportunities. In response, a local nonprofit has expanded its vocational training to help participants prepare for employment.
San Antonio Life Academy currently serves approximately 170 students, up from 164 a year ago. The program operates seven classrooms and is working to open an eighth. Each class is capped at 12 students to ensure individualized attention. The academy has maintained a waitlist for new families and additional days for enrolled students since its founding in 2017.
The program targets a specific demographic gap. Most students age out of public school services at 22, but the academy serves adults ranging from 18 to 56. A 2018 study by the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation estimated that 21,600 adults in the county had autism spectrum disorder or an IDD. At that time, only 10% were receiving services through the Alamo Area Council of Governments. The report projected that number would grow to 27,000 by 2030.
A 2024 survey by the IDD Champions Coalition found that 75% of families struggle to access necessary services. The data showed that 80% of caregivers had no adult care plan. Additionally, 32% of caregivers quit their jobs to manage care demands. This lack of support drives families toward programs that offer flexible scheduling, such as the academy’s model which allows students to attend for specific days or hours per week.
To address career readiness, the academy launched Rising Stars Coffee, a truck where students sell beverages. The organization also hosts pop-up markets, such as one held on October 15 at Mount Cavalry Lutheran Church in Alamo Heights. Students like Jake Ramirez, 24, and Grace Soto, 21, manage sales for products ranging from T-shirts to homemade dog treats. Proceeds from these ventures fund the program.
Executive Director Samantah Kidwell stated that the training focuses on customer service, inventory management, and teamwork. The academy does not currently provide direct job coaching or placement, but that is its next goal. Three students have secured part-time jobs through the career development track. Becca Major, 28, recently accepted a restocking position at H-E-B.
Major described her new role as a source of pride and social connection. "I also like to make my own money, too, and I feel honored that I get to be paid for the hard work I get to do," she said. The academy plans to open Cindy’s Cottage, a brick and mortar retail space, by 2028. Funding delays have pushed the opening back from an initial 2027 target.
The next public market is scheduled for December 15 with a Christmas theme. It will run from 9 a.m. until supplies run out. Rising Stars Coffee operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
