Tuning his life’s melody to a profoundly personal note, Danny Combs forged a new path after leaving his career as a country musician. He now spends his days teaching autistic individuals and advocating for the autism community.

Inspired by his son, Dylan Combs, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age, Danny owns started Teaching the Autism Community Trades or TACT, an Englewood-based organization with a mission to provide skills, confidence and opportunities.

“So, TACT specifically teaches the trades and we use them holistically as transition skills that lead to employment,” Danny said.

He explained a vast majority of the autism community is unemployed.

TACT has an 83% placement rate for its clients. There are about 20 employees that assist with teaching a myriad of trades at TACT including auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, cyber security and more.

Danny said TACT partners with more than 60 employers to help pair clients with the right jobs. Once clients are hired, TACT continues to support the clients in their new settings with employment specialists.

Combs is a fourth-generation tradesman but decided instead to initially pursue music.

“That was really great and I got to do that for over a decade in Nashville working with artists,” Danny said.

Danny said he did everything from studio work, to recording to management and “everything you can imagine.” Additionally he mentioned he worked with professional musicians including Faith Hill and then 16-year-old Taylor Swift.

After Dylan, now 15, was born and diagnosed with autism, Danny said he decided to retire from music and utilize his master’s degree in education to open TACT.

“I started it in 2016 out of a 1958 Chevy because I like cars and it has grown to this incredible facility in Englewood that now serves hundreds of kids every year,” Danny said.

Danny loves making a difference in the community and helping students.

“It’s incredibly daunting,” Danny said. “A big part of the job is actually educating and advocating that our community exists.”

Danny said he and other educators work to help students learn how to thrive and be their authentic selves rather than telling them to fit a certain mold.

“It feels amazing to get to do what we do, but it feels like we’re just getting started,” Danny said. “It feels like there is so much room for growth. There’s a long way to go.”

At the TACT facility, located at 2960 S. Umatilla St. in Englewood’s northwestern industrial area, Danny said the staff creates the work environments that students might find themselves in after getting a job.

“So, we’re simulating the workforce in a lot of ways that mimics the job,” Danny said. “We’re trying to alleviate anxiety points.”

Additionally, to help students learn more efficiently, Danny said they are in class sizes of six or fewer and their learning environment is very hands-on.

“Everything set up in our space here in Englewood is universal design, meaning that it’s accessible for all,” Danny said.

Examples of universal design include ramps rather than stairs, LED lighting rather than fluorescent lighting and other features.

In January, Danny received a Citizen Honor Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society for his work with his clients and TACT. The Medal of Honor Society is composed of veterans who are awarded medals for their acts of heroism. The society also nominates and selects those not in the military through their Citizen Honor Awards in an effort to recognize those who serve their communities in other ways.

“They pick five individuals a year, hand-chosen by the recipients,” Danny said. “Honestly I thought I was being messed with when they first called me and told me I had been nominated … When I found out that I won it was really overwhelming. I don’t think I realized just how special it was.”

He said receiving the medal with his fellow honorees was “really powerful.”

Danny said the work he and his 20 employees do is important because the autism community has “value and so much to offer.”

“It’s wild to believe that there are so many laws in place where in a lot of ways it still feels like it’s 1950 for our community,” Danny said.

For example, Danny said, there are laws in place that limit the number of neurodivergent people that an employer hires; in 37 states subminimum wage is still allowed; and there are laws in place where autistic individuals can lose their government health benefits if they work too many hours.

“I think the work that we’re doing showcases all of the things that our community can do, and we let that work speak for itself,” Danny said.

When placing clients with employers, Danny said TACT isn’t looking for special treatment or charity but rather making the placement about the “inherent value” of the community.

“That’s very different from what’s been done in the past, and I think our community feels and recognizes that, because it gives them a voice to be their authentic selves and be successful,” Danny said.

TACT is about breaking the stereotype of where autistic individuals typically work.

“Traditionally what happens for our kids when they’re looking for jobs is they get told ‘Oh, OK, do you want to work at the grocery store or do you want to fold napkins in a restaurant?,” Danny said. “And if that’s what they choose, God bless them. Let’s help them do that, but if they want to do something different they should have that same equality of opportunity.”

Danny said TACT recently merged with Fedcap, a New York-based workforce development education program company.

The merger with Fedcap will help TACT expand across Colorado and to other states.

“It’s very exciting to think an Englewood, local Colorado company, is making an impact that’s being seen around the country,” Danny said.

For more information on TACT visit www.buildwithtact.org .