By: Shelby Mills
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV)- True Color Tulip Farm is an attraction in Northwest Arkansas that employs inclusively to support those who may have a hard time finding a job.
For neurodiverse adults such as Jackson Trombley, getting the opportunity to gain work experience just means more. Trombley said, “I work here because I love the tulip farm and it is a special place for diversity, for special diversity people no matter their gender, their race, or ability. We always love to welcome people here and buy some tulips.”
True Colors is part of the non-profit, PerspectAbility. PerspectAbility’s goal is to create an inclusive environment in Northwest Arkansas where neurodiverse adults are able to live independently and continue their education.
Co-founder Kelli Jensen said she has hopes that her neurodiverse son is able to live on his own one day and that many other families with neurodiverse children want the same thing. “Housing is a big issue and I know that my son has a desire to own his own home and have a safe place to call his own and there are many other families out there that want that same thing,” she said.
The tulip farm provides a safe place for neurodiverse adults to gain job skills and experience. It is also a way to bring the community to them and raise awareness to PerspectAbility.
The United States has 7.38 million adults who have intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, which comes to 17% of the population. Of these, 1.28 million receive publicly funded residential support. PerspectAbility’s mission is to solve this problem in the Northwest Arkansas community.
For those interested in learning more, you can visit PerspectAbility’s website. While tulip season just came to an end, there are many ways you can offer support.