Uniquely Abled Academy Advanced Manufacturing Inclusion Bootcamp Media Day

Hudson Valley Community College's Uniquely Abled Academy (UAA) will host a Media Day showcasing the skills and accomplishments of participants in the 2026 Uniquely Abled Academy Advanced Manufacturing Inclusion Bootcamp.

Now in its third year at Hudson Valley, the three-week program provides hands-on training in CAD/CAM, CNC machining, cutting, drilling, machining, programming, shearing, stamping and welding. Designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with other intellectual disabilities, the bootcamp helps participants explore career pathways in the CNC (Computer Numerical Control) manufacturing industry while building valuable technical and workplace skills.

The event will feature demonstrations of student learning and remarks from Dawn Danner, director of the Uniquely Abled Academy; Brian Wickham, associate professor at Hudson Valley and Uniquely Abled Academy instructor; and Patrick Coghlan, a Uniquely Abled Academy graduate and camp assistant.

The Uniquely Abled Academy Advanced Manufacturing Inclusion Bootcamp is sponsored by SparkForce™ and the Gene Haas Foundation. Community members, media representatives and manufacturing industry partners are invited to learn more about the program's impact and its role in creating inclusive pathways to careers in advanced manufacturing.