For the 2nd Year in a Row, D’Eri was Invited to Participate in the Luncheon, Which Promotes Employment of Persons with Autism Globally

Thomas D’Eri, co-founder and COO of Rising Tide Car Wash, a groundbreaking social enterprise with a primary mission to employ adults with autism, participated in the invitation-only 2nd annual Autism Advantage Luncheon at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City on April 5. The luncheon, which is limited to 150 participants, is part of the annual observance of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) at the United Nations.

This is the 2nd year that D’Eri has participated in the event, which serves as a leadership forum for a discussion on the theme of “Return on Investment” and on issues related to scaling talent and career development for people with autism. Participants include thought leaders who have an interest in and capacity to advance the employment of persons with autism.

The purpose of the luncheon is to promote employment of persons with autism globally, in support of Article 27 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), on Work and Employment, which recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others, and to a labor market and work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible. The inaugural luncheon in 2017 gathered 168 leaders representing 28 employers and 20 countries.

The Autism Advantage Luncheon is organized by the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), in collaboration with Specialisterne Foundation. It is co-sponsored by a number of permanent missions, and organized with the support of Google, Microsoft, and JPMChase. The event is viewable on UN WebTV.

“I am honored to once again be a part of this esteemed group of leaders in autism awareness from around the world,” said D’Eri. “Since my father, John D’Eri, and I launched Rising Tide in 2013, we have reached out to our community, the U.S. and the world to share the incredible capabilities that individuals with autism have. Autism is a valuable diversity, as opposed to a disability that requires sympathy.”

Rising Tide, a high-quality car wash with locations in Parkland, Florida and Margate, Florida, is one of the largest employers of people with autism in the U.S. Rising Tide and its consultants created an innovative model that breaks the car washing process into 46 distinct steps. Employees work in a mirror image of each other, and are able to thrive off the repetitive structure to produce extraordinary results.

Along with his father, Thomas created the business to develop a scalable solution to employing individuals with autism. They were inspired to do this by watching John’s son and Thomas’ brother Andrew, a vibrant young man with autism, struggle to find his place in the world. The goal of Rising Tide is to give more young adults with autism opportunities to realize their capabilities, gain confidence, make friends, gain financial independence, and have a place to call their own.

In 2016, Rising Tide Car Wash launched its training organization, Rising Tide U (RTU), providing a road map for families who believe starting a business is their only way to help loved ones with autism build a future. Rising Tide U was developed along with University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD) and The Taft Foundation.

RTU recently launched The Autism Advantage, an online program. It is the only program of its kind that walks participants step-by-step through creating a social enterprise that supports neurodiverse individuals.

About Rising Tide Car Wash

Rising Tide Car Wash is a scalable social enterprise with the primary mission to employ adults with autism. By delivering a first-rate car wash experience to the consumer, Rising Tide strives to inspire communities to change their perception of the capabilities of people with autism. Through intensive training, team building and caring for the community, Rising Tide sets its employees up for success. With this model, Rising Tide has a goal to provide people with autism with an opportunity to build a career and achieve an independent lifestyle. Rising Tide Car Wash has two locations: 7201 N. State Rd 7, Parkland, FL 33067; and 2970 N. State Rd 7, Margate, FL 33063. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. For more information, visit www.risingtidecarwash.com, call (954) 344-1855 or email info@risingtidecarwash.com.

About Rising Tide U

In 2016, Rising Tide Car Wash launched its training organization, Rising Tide U, as a means of sharing what its owners/leaders learned in building Rising Tide Car Wash, to the thousands of people who have reached out over the years. For more information, visit http://risingtideu.com.