At Bridgeway Foundation We...

Are starting an inclusive community space!

The Inclusive Retail Destination for Hampton Roads:

We’re building the shopping center our community needs!
We have retail spaces, medical offices, a farmer’s market, an automotive shop, and recreational spaces.
Families can shop together safely and without judgement at our beautiful retail destination.
We are planning medical and therapeutic offices in a one-stop-shop safe space.
We'll have an inclusive gym where adults with and without disabilities are welcom.
We'll have a BULLY-FREE trampoline park!
A restaurant will welcome all members of the family.
There will be a cafe that is experienced with autism and includes work opportunities for autistic adults!
There will be barbershops with autism experience, a farmers market, a grocery store, all for families that need inclusive spaces!
An on-site automotive shop provides a space where learners can engage in apprenticeships regardless of abilities!
On-Site job training is available for our students, but we will also partner with other job training programs to make this a learning space for all!
ABA companies, day programs, and residential programs can use this space for transitional practice before going out into less-inclusive spaces.

The school:

Bridgeway Academy is funded by Bridgeway Foundation and supported by BCBAs, educators, parents, and the community! We are a school for AUTISM! Specifically we pair non-vocal autistic learners with a peer of similar age, interests, and backgrounds. These partners are each supported by a trained experienced RBT, supervised by a BCBA, directed by a certified teacher, and supported by our community!
We are providing a listener for Every Voice: We believe that every student has a voice and all that’s been missing is someone to listen. Our school is designed to amplify these voices, ensuring that every individual is heard and valued. We teach sign language, shape word approximations, and provide guidance through learning your child’s AAC device.
We believe in personalized Learning Journeys: Our curriculum is designed by our students, their families, and experienced dedicated professionals in our community. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, proactivity, and advocacy, we prepare our students to be competent, confident, and compassionate. Hands on trade skills are coupled with the educational path that is designed to meet the prerequisites for your child’s choice schools.
Our community is cultivating Respect and Empathy: We strive to create a community where respect and empathy are at the core of every interaction. Our school is a place where all learners are celebrated, and every student feels a sense of ownership in their educational journey. Each autistic child has not just a personal RBT, they also have a gifted peer, hand-picked to match their age, gender, ethnicity, and hobbies to support meaningful connection with their personal peer.
Will provide a facility where the autistic and gifted students and the greater community can learn together. They will learn technical trade skills, college credits, and real-life survival skills such as farming, cooking, and commerce.
Are leading the way with job opportunities and on-the-job training for autistic adults.

Bridgeway Foundation Land Purchase

Let's Get This Resource Started!