Bridging the gap between the classroom & success!
Emotional regulation and stress recovery
Executive function skills such as planning and sequencing
Social awareness and situational understanding
Sensory tolerance in real-world environments
Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
The CBI Project is dedicated to empowering students with special needs through community-based instructional trips that foster independence, build social skills, and promote real-world learning experiences. Our mission is to create inclusive, accessible opportunities for students to engage with their communities, develop essential life skills, and gain the confidence to navigate the world around them.
We founded The CBI Project because we believe that for neurodivergent students, the classroom should be a launchpad, not the entire journey.
While traditional special education provides an incredible foundation, there is a gap between learning a skill in theory and applying it in reality. There is also a gap between the controlled environment of a school and the sensory-rich experience of the real world.
It is one thing to count plastic coins at a desk; it is another to hand money to a cashier while a line forms behind you. It is one thing to look at pictures of street signs; it is another to navigate a crosswalk safely.
We exist to close that gap. We provide the resources, funding, and support necessary to turn local communities into living classrooms.
Applied Learning: Moving beyond the bounded environment of a classroom. Instead of counting plastic coins at a desk, students use a quarter to buy a banana at a real register. This reinforces the why behind the lesson.
Executive Function in Action: Real-world environments are unpredictable. CBI requires students to use working memory (remembering a grocery list), planning (navigating an aisle), and self-regulation (managing the sensory input of a busy store).
Neural Plasticity: By practicing these skills in the actual environment where they are required, we strengthen the brain's strong connections. This makes it easier for the student to generalize and repeat the skill independently later.
The world can be loud, bright, and unpredictable. We believe that continued exposure to sensory stimulation is key to desensitization. By practicing in real-world settings, students learn to regulate their fight, flight, or freeze responses—turning
potential overwhelm into manageable moments.
CBI isn't just good for students; it’s vital for the community. When local businesses and community members interact with our students, stereotypes are broken down and our towns become more welcoming for everyone.
Transportation costs and admission fees often prevent schools from offering these trips. We believe every student deserves these experiences, regardless of a classroom's budget.
We are working toward a future where neurodivergent individuals are present in our communities, and are active, confident participants. We envision a world where a student ordering a meal, riding a bus, or visiting a library isn’t an exception—it’s the norm.
P.O. Box 150902
Austin, Texas 78745
