Oakland University has created an on-campus laundry service that supports adults with autism.

Framed after a similar organization in North Carolina, the nonprofit service provides clean clothes for students and employment opportunities for those with autism.

The laundry service is located in a room at the OU Incubator, or OU INC for short. OU INC is on the northeast corner of campus near Meadowbrook Hall and Katke-Cousins Golf Course.

“90 percent of adults with autism are either underemployed or unemployed,” said Nathan Ziolko, a student who works with the service. “Giving them this opportunity gives them a chance to do something meaningful while earning a wage.”

The service is open to all Oakland students and the public. The first bag of laundry is free. The cost is $15 per customer and $10 for Oakland students.

Students can also get further discounts by agreeing to regularly use their service for a semester.

“We welcome anyone to use the laundry service,” Ziolko said. “It’s a legitimate business in every sense. We pick up, clean, wrap, fold and deliver the laundry within 48 hours. The employees do excellent work, and I’m sure you’ll be impressed with the results.”

Students have took notice of the service and have used it since its opening. While residents have the option of doing their own laundry in the dorms and apartments, some students like to give back to those involved in the program.

“I have a lot of friends who are disabled, and I feel that … they have a purpose and a place in this world,” student Greg Terry said. “I’m glad to see something like this pop up on campus and help those who need it, and provide students with a great service.”

Students and faculty overlook the service’s operations. There are also on-site job coaches who help workers, and an Advisory Board that includes the Interim Dean of Education and the Vice President of Development.

Other Oakland faculty that are involved with the day-to-day operations include Karen Markel of the School of Business, Jan Graetz of the School of Education and Lisa Friedrich.

So far, the laundry business is looking to grow exponentially within the next few years.

“Our goal is to have four to five businesses employing 25 to 35 adults with autism in the next two years,” Ziolko said. “The project is being researched thoroughly, with the intent to develop a road map for other universities to follow throughout the state of Michigan and beyond.”