Software Testing & Quality

Assurance Services: The

Aspiritech Model

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Employing Adults on the Autism Spectrum:

A Conference on Pioneering Small Business Models

Extraordinary Ventures, Chapel Hill, NC

January 27-29, 2014

Chet Hurwitz Brenda Weitzberg

Board Member Executive Director

Chair, Business Devt. Committee

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Aspiritech is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission

to provide a path for high functioning individuals on the autism

spectrum to realize their potential through gainful employment.

Introducing Aspiritech

• Aspiritech provides world class software testing, quality assurance (QA) and

related support services

• First U.S. company to utilize the special skills and strengths of high

functioning individuals with autism that are directly applicable to these

service areas

• Aspiritech has delivered exceptional results in a cost-effective manner for a

growing number of clients in multiple industries

• We provide a meaningful career track for our employees while mitigating the

social cost of supporting this growing segment of the population

• We employ 19 test engineers with autism. Operations are overseen by a

Director of Operations assisted by an Autism Specialist

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Aspiritech – Scope of Services

The following services have been performed on a wide range of applications

in multiple industries:

Software black box testing (regression, functional, performance,

compatibility, usability)

Test architecture design – test management and planning: composing

test scenarios and test cases

Data verification - data consistency and graphic uniformity amongst

different windows, operating systems, browsers and mobile devices

Data analysis (analytics and migration)

Data entry

Any IT work requiring extraordinary

focus and attention to detail

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Aspiritech assures quality of its services by:

A stringent hiring and training model of test engineers

on the autism spectrum

Ongoing supervision and support and a unique work

environment managed by an autism specialist

A system of peer review of all issues and bugs

identified on the clients’ software

Strengths of Aspiritech’s test engineers include:

Tremendous attention to detail

Prolonged focus on seemingly repetitive tasks

Strong visual acuity and an affinity for technology

Aspiritech – Quality Commitment

Strong Record of Satisfied Clients

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History of Aspiritech

BA from 4-yr university Collecting carts

Like many with HFA, our son fell through the cracks as his difficulties in the social, organizational and motor domains made it very challenging for him to successfully

use his intellectual abilities in today’s workplace.

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History of Aspiritech – Getting Started

2008: With assistance from students at the Kellogg School of Management,

Aspiritech develops its initial business model. Incorporates as a 501(c)(3) in

December.

2009: Aspiritech develops innovative hands-on software testing training program

and launches a pilot project in August to validate its effectiveness.

2010: Aspiritech opens its first office in Highland Park, IL with six testers. Hires

Autism Specialist with support of Autism Speaks. Provides services to 4

companies.

2011: Moves to larger office. Doubles staff. Provide services to 5 companies.

2012: Aspiritech develops Stepping Up & Out

Program.

2013: Aspiritech has now provided services to

almost 30 companies

Jobs commensurate with one’s intellectual ability, where autism can be an asset and one

can excel

Often the first taste of vocational success

Stepping stone to competitive employment for some

Higher self-esteem, pride and confidence with every

“bug” discovered and each project completed

Structure to one’s life and increased social opportunities

Individualized support as needed

Help with soft employment skills—teamwork,

communication, time management, etc.

Increased independence and a paycheck

Hope for a better future

Resources and information to hundreds of people every year

Aspiritech Provides

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Aspiritech – Lessons Learned

Positives:

Given the right structure and support and, most importantly, the right job fit, we can

transform the vocational experience for folks on the autism spectrum

We have proof of concept for our model:

Our proprietary training program works

Our staff delivers world-class software testing and QA

Improving work skills and social skills go hand in hand

Challenges:

Be realistic about barriers and challenges

Progress is slower than expected

Our need to select projects which fit our delivery capabilities to assure client satisfaction

and confidence

Despite the direct appeal of our value proposition, there are many complex factors which

influence a potential client's decision to engage Aspiritech