LiNC-it: Linking NC with Innovative Talent

04/22/2026

Interested in biotech after high school?

Career Launch and North Carolina Business Committee for Education are hosting a BioWork pre-apprenticeship in partnership with Durham Technical Community College, Apprenticeship NC and BioNetwork
This opportunity is designed for high school juniors and seniors (Class of 2026) on the autism spectrum, with tuition and fees covered and stipends available for success and transportation. It’s a chance to gain real-world experience and build a pathway into the biotech field.

Sign up for the info session here: https://ncbce.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0d3xotNWCxwnKWG?Q_CHL=qr

04/08/2026

April is Autism Awareness Month, observed annually to increase awareness, understanding, and support for people with autism. To recognize Autism Acceptance Month, we're highlighting the LiNC-IT Collaborative!

Linking North Carolina with Innovative Talent (LiNC-IT) is an employment program for autistic individuals seeking internships and early career employment opportunities, supporting all members of North Carolina's talented workforce.

03/03/2026

This summer, Johnston Community College is offering a BioWork course for rising high school seniors or recent graduates on the Autism Spectrum in standard course of study.

Classes run Monday–Thursday, 9am–3pm in June and July (start date TBD). Mondays include virtual learning and 1:1 faculty support. Course fees are covered by North Carolina Business Committee for Education.

Virtual student-parent info sessions:
• Tonight, 6–7pm
• March 26, 6–7pm

Eligibility:
• Rising seniors (2027 grads) or 2026 graduates
• Autism diagnosis (self-report okay)
• Standard course of study

$500 stipend for successful completion.

Sign up for tonight’s information session here: https://ow.ly/WCHf50YoHwI

Johnston County Public Schools

01/26/2026

New Paid Fellowship Opportunity for Community Reporters with I/DD!

Link for more information: https://nccdd.org/news-media/highlights-hot-topics/december-2025-highlights-and-hot-topics

Community Reporters are individuals with I/DD who enjoy storytelling, meeting people, and sharing news from their communities. They will use their skills to collect local stories, interview community members, and create short stories in a format of their choice, such as blog posts, audio or video interviews, graphic art, and infographics. Their stories will be shared on NCCDD’s website, newsletters, and social media.

23 East Group, the marketing and communications agency for the NCCDD, is launching this Community Reporter Program to amplify the voices and stories of people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities (I/DD) across North Carolina. This initiative is part of a larger media storytelling project to highlight what’s happening in local communities in North Carolina, through the eyes and experiences of people with I/DD.

Learn more about the fellowship and how to apply here: https://nccdd.org/news-media/highlights-hot-topics/december-2025-highlights-and-hot-topics

01/26/2026

Are you hoping to gain paid experience in the IT field? Get ready for the spring/summer Future Technologist Program, coming soon!

📅 Application period is open Jan. 26 to Feb. 6
🔗 Learn more: it.nc.gov/intern

01/16/2026

📢 Join the NC Autism & Higher Ed Collaborative!
🗓 Thursday, Jan 22 | 12:30 PM | Zoom

Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84386698642?pwd=UOWgk3DSsepO097QzIdOIxuHjAIQRd.1

Hear from experts S. Michael Chapman and Mindy Govan on employment opportunities and resources for neurodivergent adults. Plus, check out a free online course on creating inclusive learning spaces!

North Carolina Business Committee for Education

01/09/2026

📣 Update: January & February Info Sessions are now Virtual
Learn about the 2026 BioWork Pre-Apprenticeship for current juniors & seniors on the Autism Spectrum.

📆 Wednesday, January 28 – Virtual
📆 Wednesday, February 25 – Virtual
📆 Wednesday, March 25 – In-Person

📍 In-Person Location (March only):
Durham Technical Community College – Main Campus
1637 E. Lawson St., Durham, NC 27703
Building 6, Room 106

Sign up here: https://ncbce.iad1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0d3xotNWCxwnKWG?Q_CHL=qr

01/06/2026

We are hiring Digital Navigators for programs in Durham! Check out the position description and apply at www.kramden.org/jobs

01/06/2026

Catalyst STEM Program Open House — Register Now

Come join Catalyst — a free, award‑winning, year‑long STEM program for high school students with disabilities. Catalyst helps students build real-world skills through hands‑on STEM, paid internships, mentorship, professional certifications, field study trips, and college/workforce readiness.

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**Open House (students and a parent/guardian must attend one session)**
- **Virtual:** Thursday, January 15 • 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- **In‑person:** Saturday, January 17 • 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM at North Carolina State University

Register to attend: https://go.ncsu.edu/catalyst-open-house-2026

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**Program at a glance**
- **Dates:** June 2026 – June 2027 (multi‑year participation encouraged)
- **Highlights:** Hands‑on labs with professors and industry mentors; paid STEM internships; certification opportunities; Life 101 skills; field study trips; college and workforce readiness; case management and transition planning

**Who should apply**
- **Eligible students:** Rising 9th–12th graders in regular, honors, AP/college courses, or the occupational course of study program
- **Required documentation:** Documented disability, IEP, or 504 Plan
- **Open to:** Public, private, charter, and homeschooled students

Have questions or need accommodations? Message us here or email the Catalyst Director Joann Blumenfeld at: [email protected]. Visit the registration page for more details. Learn more about Catalyst from our Webpage: https://sciencehouse.ncsu.edu/studentprograms/catalyst/
Share with families who might be interested — we’d love to meet you at the Open House!

12/09/2025

10/09/2025

It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

The Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) is charged with ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunity to succeed in the state government workplace and that hiring managers are aware of and complying with processes for recruiting and retaining qualified individuals for state employment.

In 2020 census data, more than 1.3 million North Carolinians, approximately 13 percent of the state’s population, had a disability, and only about 35 percent of working-age individuals with disabilities were employed, compared to 76 percent of North Carolinians without disabilities.

Learn more about how North Carolina state government, one of the state’s largest employers, empowers employees with disabilities to experience challenging, integrated work at fair wages: http://bit.ly/48Xvhh3

And find resources to gain employment with the State of North Carolina: http://bit.ly/48XvdxP