'I thought I'd end up rotting away - but this has changed my outlook on life'

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'I thought I'd end up rotting away - but this has changed my outlook on life'
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Dylan hardly left the house for years - but now things are changing

Dylan dropped out of school at 14. When he went to college, it was a similar story – lacking the right support for his disabilities, he left within a few weeks.

The Digital Independent Specialist College, or DISC, opened in Manchester city centre last September and is the first of its kind in the UK offering young people with additional needs learn in a small-scale, supportive environment. Dylan is now one of the governors at the college and he mentors students too.

Sat next to him, Andy Lovatt looks tearful. The CEO of Digital Advantage, who co-founded DISC has a son with autism, so he's passionate about this project. And what's more, Andy believes that people with autism offer something extra to employers. "Every one of the young people that we work with has got that really special talent," he said. "Head and shoulders above neurotypical people.

Since opening its doors, 30 students with autism, learning disabilities and other additional needs have enrolled with DISC. The specialist college offers an Alternative Provision pathway for school-aged students, a flexible pre-internship and a year-long supported internship with part-time options.

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MENnewsdesk /  🏆 23. in UK

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