87 Danny Combs: How The Autism Co...

87 Danny Combs: How The Autism Community Is Moving From 90% Unemployment To Fortune 500 Jobs With Skilled Trades

Going in Blind with Zach Tidwell by Zach Tidwell
E87
May 11, 2026
01:28:03

Episode notes

Danny Combs is many things; a Grammy-winning musician, entrepreneur, educator, disability advocate and policymaker, to name a few—but today we focused on his work in teaching the autistic community trades, the namesake for his nonprofit, TACT. After his own son was diagnosed with Autism 15 years ago, without being given resources to assist him, Danny decided to pave a path forward for his son and others like him. In just 10 years, TACT has shifted the entire narrative around employing people with Autsim, partnering with companies all over the world, including Toyota and AutoNation, to flip the script on the statistic that 90% of autistic people are unemployed. It's an untapped workforce no one is talking about, so Danny came on the show to do just that, and break down the stigma around the subject.

Other episodes mentioned include episode 73 with Kilroy’s Workshop, 83 with Steve Bigari, and 17 with Josh Thurmond.

Other topics covered include public perceptions and narratives around disability, how to shift cultures and mindsets, how having a disabled person in you family expands your world view, Northrup Grumman, engineering, being a trailblazer, role models, and more.

You can find Danny in the following places:

TACT website: https://www.buildwithtact.org/

Follow And Support The Show

Follow, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. And if that happens to be on YouTube, like this video too before sharing the episode with family and friends.

Website: https://zachtidwell.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556533676388

Instagram: @ZachCTidwell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-tidwell-9076852ab/

X: @ZachCTidwell

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/going-in-blind-with-zach-tidwell/id1787306128

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51IxT43v95otwaXDkyr6FW

YouTube: @ZachCTidwell

#GIB #GoingInBlind

Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.