2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Employment is nature's physician, and is essential to human happiness. Claudius Galen

Mission Statement:
Aspiritech provides a path for high functioning individuals on the autism spectrum to realize their potential through meaningful employment.

How does Aspiritech achieve this mission?

1. Recruits high functioning individuals on the autism spectrum as potential software testers 2. Screens these individuals to determine their software testing capabilities 3. Provides training in software testing and related employment skills 4. Provides ongoing supervision and support 5. Provides a unique work environment to maximize testers abilities while also accommodating challenges impacting their work performance 6. Seeks software testing clients 7. Performs software testing services 8. Employs adults with autism

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends, We are happy to report that 2012 was another year of critical growth for Aspiritech as we paved new roads to providing meaningful employment suited to the strengths of people on the autism spectrum. Much of this was due to the hard work and achievements of our talented team of software test engineers headed up by Moshe Weitzberg, PhD, and Brian Tozzo, test lead, assisted by autism specialist Marc Lazar. Their work was supported by our dedicated board of directors and growing number of invested supporters. We would like to highlight a few of our achievements this year: In January, Mike Mayse, the Executive Director of the Illinois Medical District Housing Foundation, volunteered his time and expertise to artfully guide our Board through a Strategic Planning Retreat. From that day of selfexamination and goal setting, our priorities emerged beginning with the development of a business plan oriented towards growth. Our most critical need was to hire a business development professional. We were fortunate to receive a grant of $100,000 ($75,000 in 2012 and a $25,000 matching grant challenge in 2013) from The Coleman Foundation in support of a business development professional to build a stronger pipeline of testing projects, add more work hours to our current staff, and move individuals off our extensive waitlist. The new business development director was hired in December. To date, we have successfully worked for 21 companies, several of which entrusted us with their entire quality assurance needs. Others have given us multiple repeat projects. We are currently employing 14 testers; in total more than 30 people have been trained, including a few currently in training. Of the people who completed training and arent working at Aspiritech, two left for competitive employment in the IT field. Others went back to college or are living out of state. We implemented our new Stepping Up & Out program, graciously funded by the Grandy Foundation, to help our staff members and others on the autism spectrum develop critical soft employment skills and enhance their selfesteem and self-confidence through social skills-building classes and activities, experiential education/ team building, and health-fitness activities. For this program we added an additional part-time female autism specialist and partnered with JCYS. Sizable grants from the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park and The Sheridan and Fred J. Brunner Foundations enabled us to continue to employ a full-time autism specialist and expand our training program to additional people.

Thanks to the seeds planted in 2012, we anticipate accelerated growth in 2013. Business contracts are budgeted to grow exponentially which will enable us to both provide more work hours to our current staff members with autism as well as accept additional trainees off our ever-expanding waitlist. As a result, we will need to move to larger space by mid-year to accommodate the larger staff. Aspiritech proves each and every day that, given the right structure and support, and most importantly, the right type of work, we can transform the vocational experience for many on the autism spectrum. Thank you for your critical support of our mission. Sincerely,

Board President

Executive Director

It is every parents dream that their children become happy, healthy, successful adults, leading an active life, being engaged in productive, meaningful work, which allows them to be contributing members to society and also to have a strong social network. One employer which embraces all of these ideals is Aspiritech, a software testing company in Highland Park, Illinois. Aspiritech's work utilizes the strengths of individuals on the autism spectrum, with their attention to detail, to provide quality software testing services. Our son is currently a trainee in their program, and after he successfully completes the program, he looks forward to becoming employed by Aspiritech. Aspiritech is the most unique program he has ever encountered. Training is provided oneon-one with the additional support of an autism specialist. The Autism Specialist is present not only during operating hours to coach and guide trainees and employees, but also during social programming and life skills training supported by Aspiritech. The management and training staff display a passion and dedication to see these young adults succeed not only in the work place, and to be part of a productive, competitive business, but in all aspects of life. Aspiritech is truly a unique and progressive company that empowers our young adults with the ability to find and experience true success and happiness! Parent of a Trainee

2012 HIGHLIGHTS
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT IN SOFTWARE TESTING

The Aspiritech testers are a solid addition to any team. Having them join my project was like unleashing a herd upon my software. We discovered many critical issues day one and they continue to provide value on a daily basis. Creating amazing software is all about building the right software team. I'm sure my experience is not unique. Finding stellar testers, much less teams is illusive. It's tough to find people with the right potential, talent, abilities and heart. . . focused on testing. Aspiritech has got it. I am specifically pleased with:

In 2012, the Aspiritech team of software test engineers successfully completed quality assurance projects for 13 different companies. Many of these companies contracted Aspiritech for multiple projects. In the second half of 2012, Aspiritechs software testing service revenue achieved an annual run rate of more than $100,000. Nineteen software testers were on payroll. Eight individuals completed Aspiritechs unique hands-on training program in software testing. Two former Aspiritech software test engineers moved on to competitive employment in the IT industry.

1. How quickly they understood my domain/ features and quickly translated it into functional areas to test. No need to mess around with reams of documentation or hours of meetings/training 2. Bug reports are explicit and well thought out-including reproduction steps, expected results. When there was possible confusion, screenshots and screen cast videos of the issue. 3. How amazingly focused they are on all the details. 4. How cautious and transparent they are with time and my project budget. 5. The confidence I gained in my software after they covered an area. I am thrilled to have found Aspiritech and will continue augmenting my team and projects with their testing muscle! Ken Everett, VP Engineering, Promantek, Inc.

OUTREACH
Aspiritechs autism specialist provided information and resources to approximately 400 individuals with autism, their family members and professionals. Aspiritechs autism specialist and two test engineers presented a workshop on autism employment to 20 vocational rehabilitation professionals from JVS. Brenda and Moshe Weitzberg participated on an international panel of companies that employ individuals with autism in software testing at the Autism Works conference in March 2012. As a leader in the movement to provide gainful employment for individuals with autism, Aspiritech consulted with 10 individuals/organizations and many more before that, about the model developed by the Aspiritech team. We are proud to be able to share our knowledge and experience which we feel will benefit our constituency, even if not our business. We cherish our dual role. Aspiritech was cited in many different publications including Huffington Post and Business Week. Aspiritech staff participated on an advisory group that developed the Autism Speaks Employment Tool Kit.

SUSTAINABILITY
Aspiritech received a $75,000 grant from The Coleman Foundation to hire a business development director in addition to a $25,000 matching grant challenge to support the position in Year Two More than $26,000 was raised to meet The Coleman Foundation challenge match Dare to Dream Big, our annual fundraiser held in August 2012, raised more than $38,000, quadrupling the amount raised in 2011. Fred J. Brunner Foundation and the Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park funded anew our autism specialist position.

STEPPING UP & OUT PROGRAM

With the generous support of the Grandy Foundation, Aspiritech designed and implemented a new Stepping Up and Out Program to enhance soft employment skills such as self-confidence, communication, teamwork, and social skills amongst our testers as well as other individuals with autism

Stepping Up & Out teamwork/problem solving activities with JCYS experiential education facilitators

2012 REVENUES AND EXPENSES

Total Revenue: $268,257*
Other, $216 Software testing revenue, $53,373 Special event and individual fundraising, $57,518 Corporations, $2,150 Corporations Foundations Special event and individual fundraising Software testing revenue Other

Foundations, $155,000

Facility Upkeep, $19,511

Total Expenses: $265,136*

Reserved for 2013 salaries, $94,618 Program, $144,254 Facility Upkeep Program Admin Reserved for 2013 salaries

2012 Surplus: $3,121**

Admin, $6,753

* Includes restricted funds of $94,618 reserved for2013 business development director and autism specialist that were received in 2012 **Unaudited results

2012 ASPIRITECH SUPPORTERS

GIFT OF $75,000
The Coleman Foundation

GIFTS FROM $100-$499

Mel & Donna Alexander Jean & Bill Bacarella
In honor of the wonderful people at Aspiritech

GIFTS OF $25,000
Fred J. Brunner Foundation Grandy Foundation

GIFT OF $15,000
Healthcare Foundation of Highland Park

GIFT FROM $10,000-$14,999

Gene Weiss, MD & Sharyn Weiss

GIFTS FROM $5,000-$10,000

Anonymous Foundation Jack Henkin, PhD & Louise Pearson Hong Zhang Sun, PhD & Xian-He Sun, PhD

GIFTS FROM $1,000-$4,999

Alvin H. Baum Family Fund Bruce Belrose & Ester Stein Simon & Rita Berger
In memory of Shymek Weitzberg

Brad & Jackee Cohen Matthew C. Epstein Trust M Krishna & Sarada Erramilli Dr. Michael & Lisa Foreman Jim & Marie McCallister Lois & John Mills Joy Mix & Bob Schrank Drs. Lawrence & Deborah Segil Mickie Lee Shapiro Sweeney Family Foundation Trillium Foundation James & Minerva Weiss Foundation

Jeff & Marcia Bannink Karen Bark Leon Bernstein, PhD & Marcia Bernstein Michael & Rebecca Bier Ron Brix Marian & Thomas Brown Duke Cameron, MD & Claudia Cameron Robert & Emily Carroll Chase Bank Richard Clark & Laura Whiting Marilee & Matthew Cole Abraham & Bette Cyzner Betty Dayron Amy Ecker & Clint Pross Richard & Victoria Elliott Wenqing Fan & Xilin Han Fannie Mae Serve Fiore Trust #5 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Bud Glick Louis & Suzanne Greenwald Cynthia & Kevin Griffith
In honor of William Gore

Ronald & Patricia Miller David Nehmadi Laurel Nida Robert & Terri Olian The Roslyn & Joseph Perlman Foundation Polk Brothers Foundation/Linda Cutler Greg Shaw & Dr. Pam Shaw Don & Peggy Shearn Gary Posner, PhD & Judith Stamberg, PhD Alan Rosenblatt, MD Rich & Donna Rumple Arthur Segil Gail & Steve Sehler Johanna Sievers John Sobolski, MD & Fatieh Khojasteh MD Ileane & David Voigt Barbara & Victor Weisskopf Brenda & Moshe Weitzberg, PhD Leslie Whinery Katie & Ken White Michael Yasukawa Yan Zhang
In honor of Alan Sun

Katy & Hugh Zwick

GIFTS FROM $500-$999

Sharon & Robert Bielski Philip H. Corboy Foundation Deborah & Paul Doppelt Dennis & Teri Dudasik Extrel CMS Dan Garner Chet Hurwitz & Sara Barron Andrew & Nancy Mills Marc Noland Ben Prozinski Fred Rogers & Carolyn Thur Myron & Beverly Shapiro Jim & Joanne Steinback Donald & Carmela Tozzo

Jack & Ruth Gruener Yu Gui Gu, PhD & Lei Wang Gary Hart Julie Hecktman Merrill & Bernette Hoyt Louis & Sheryl Joseph Doug Kalvin, PhD & Sherrie Kalvin Amy & Dan Kaufman Mary & Robert Killian Costandina Kiosse Israel & Vered Klinghofer Ilan & Rebecca Klinghofer Arieh Konigl, PhD Renee Lewis Harvey & Debby Lazar Toby & Moshe Leibowitz Linch Family Charitable Foundation Lutz Family Center Staff Philip & Betty Merta Bill & Annette McClellan Margaret McDonald

GIFTS UP TO $99
Susan & Bill Abrams Anonymous Micky & Jeff Baer Susan S. Berger, PhD Beth Berkley Bindy Bitterman
In honor of Katie Levin In memory of Kay Morris Flegen

Sherry & Bob Bourgeios Daniel & Honey Bronson Scott & Lynda Canel Judy Cates Alan Cohen Wendy Cole David & Dena Cooperman Allison & Bryan Deutsch Susan Evans Lynn Franck Janet & Merrill Freed Barbara & Charles Gitkin Sherrie & Craig Goldstein

SUPPORTERS
(CONTINUED)
Laurie & Stanley James Goodfriend Marlene & Neil Harris Linda Hirsch Kristi & Jon Kamen Alyssa & Jeremy Knobel
In honor of Brenda & Moshe Weitzberg

IN-KIND SERVICES & DONATIONS

Barrie Cole Mike Mayse 545 North Bar & Grill Andrew's Coiffures Avant for Men Bent Fork Bakery Bella Via Ristorante Bertucci's Italian Steakhouse Betty Schwartz's Intimate Boutique Bob Chinn's Crab House Books on Vernon Bridie McKenna's Irish Pub Carol's Cookies Chicago Cubs Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago White Sox Chicago Wolves Confection Connection Enaz Garden Fresh Market Gene Siskel Film Center Highland Pop Idlewood Electric Isaac & Moishe Deli La Casa DIsaac & Moishe Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Lincolnshire Marriott Lou Malnati's Pizza Mario Tricoci Hair Salon Mickey Finn's Brewery/Restaurant Menchies Pastoral Piven Theater Workshop Posh Nails, Nails & More. Real Urban Barbecue Salon Verranno/Megan Shaver Schrank's Smoke 'N Gun Spex Studio West Photography Table Compliments Teddie Kossof Salon Spa Therapeutic Kneads Viva Hair Salon/Anne Sayers

Scott & Natalie Kuldell Jason Malkin Sue McDonald Marty Oliff, PhD Beth & Daniel Pastron Alina & Vince Piagentini Matthew Riebel Matt Rogers Susan Rochlis Cathy & Howard Rosenblum
In honor of Beverly Shapiro

Stephen Salinger, DDS Ruth Sang Edward Schrank Bari Schwab Cynthia Seifert Marilyn & Rodney Slutzky Julie Solomon Kathryn Strand Robert Tedesco Sue Tolpin Lisa Uzarewicz Ron & Mimi Weitz Jennifer & Peter Whorf Cynthia Wolfson Jonathan & Moshe Zamir, MD

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many by helping us to reduce isolation, propel self-sufficiency, and bolster self-esteem among those with high functioning autism

In six months of working at Aspiritech, our son has advanced more personally and academically than in six years at a specialized therapeutic school. In this short time, he has made a quantum leap in terms of taking responsibility, communicating, and achieving results. Now, he looks forward excitedly to getting up and going to work. And he comes home every day with a sense of satisfaction because he is earning a living, receiving the respect of his peers, and most importantly, doing valuable work for customers. Parents of a Software Tester

2012 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Beverly Shapiro Treasurer: Gene Weiss, MD Secretary: Joy Mix Ron Brix Brad Cohen Bud Glick Chet Hurwitz Mary McCarthy Marc Noland Ben Prozinski Moshe Weitzberg, PhD

ADVISORY BOARD
Ed Asner Brian King, LCSW Bennett Leventhal, MD Dan Mayo Louise Pearson Keita Suzuki Hong Zhang, PhD

2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Beverly Shapiro Vice President:: Gene Weiss, MD Treasurer: Brad Cohen Secretary: Danielle M. Moushon Sharon L. Bielski Ron Brix Mark S. Friedman Bud Glick Chet Hurwitz Marc Noland Ben Prozinski Moshe Weitzberg, PhD

STAFF
Brenda Weitzberg Executive Director Moshe Weitzberg, PhD Director of Operations Marc Lazar, MS Autism Specialist John Hitchins Business Development Director Brian Tozzo Test Lead Software Test Engineers Team Emma Kolsky Asst. Autism Specialist

Aspiritech has become a household word in every home where an individual with an autism spectrum disorder lives. Aspiritech means hope to so many individuals and families in our community. Thank you for highlighting their gifts and talents. Teri Dudasik

1950 SHERIDAN ROAD, SUITE 206, HIGHLAND PARK, IL 60035

312-945-TEST (8378)

WWW.ASPIRITECH.ORG