Autism Acceptance in D.C. - this Wednesday!

This is Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month! 

The D.C. Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) is responsible for “identifying the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in their state or territory…[and] advancing public policy and systems change that help [them] gain more control over their lives.”  This includes autistic residents of the District! So, on Wednesday, April 24 (just two days away!), from 12:30 to 3:30, your DD Council is sponsoring an event at the Cleveland Park library to celebrate this special month and share information about resources and organizations focused on supporting people with autism in the District.  (If your organization has not yet signed up, contact executive director Alison Whyte at alison.whyte@dc.gov or Denice McCain at denice.mccain@dc.gov.)  Here’s the official flyer:  https://tinyurl.com/yxggqeho.

Autistic adults are not eligible for services under the Medicaid waiver administered by D.C.’s Department on Disability Services (DDS) unless they also have an intellectual disability, and this is something we hope to change – a point I made as the new DDC chair in my testimony before the DC council’s human services committee earlier this month.  By holding this event we hope also to keep the light shining on this fact,  and build support to remedy this shortfall in the District’s support system for residents with disabilities.

Spread the word and turn out yourselves, this Wednesday, April 24, 12:30 to 3:30 at the Cleveland Park library, to celebrate together and start shaping a better future for D.C.’s autistic citizens!