For the sixth year in a row, Autism Speaks will be hosting Light It Up Blue on World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd. Light It Up Blue is a campaign to honor of people with autism worldwide like myself. Each year thousands of buildings are lit up and events are held to help with the campaign!
Here are 5 ways you can get involved on the big day to help everyone who has autism…
5. Raise Awareness with Blue!
Someone once said “ignorance is just a lack of awareness.” Help us spread autism awareness by distributing information about autism, World Autism Awareness Day and Light It Up Blue in your establishment, neighborhood or company.
And we can help! We have field staff all across the United States ready to help support your efforts! Invite a local Autism Speaks representative to speak to your staff, school or town about autism and the Light It Up Blue campaign.
Social media is a great way to help get the word out about Light It Up Blue! For example, last year World Autism Awareness Day was trending on Facebook and Twitter.
One big way you can help is by turning your Facebook or Twitter profile picture blue! Another way which is new to the Autism Speaks campaign this year is our LIUB Selfie Sign which you can download here. You can personalize your sign and tell us where you are lighting it up blue this year by taking a selfie! Post these photos on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram or Flickr with the hashtag #LIUB to be a part of the global autism awareness movement!
For those who want to take it a step further, you can even turn your website blue! Our Site It Up Blue kit gives a great run down of how you can make this a reality!
2. Wear Blue
One of the easiest ways you can Light It Up Blue is by rocking your blue clothes! Ask family, friends, coworkers and staff to wear blue - it can be ties, scarfs, shirts, you name it!
Need something blue? Our Autism Speaks e-Store has our lapel pins, bracelets and other blue accessories that you can wear throughout the month.
1. Light it up Blue!
There were over 10,000 events and buildings that went blue last year! By lighting it up blue on April 2nd and throughout April, we can start a conversation towards helping individuals with autism.
There are several ways you can make this happen. First, you can change outdoor or indoor light bulbs to blue bulbs. Second, you can tint windows with blue gel sheets. Third, you could cover existing fixtures with blue gel filters. Finally, you can light it up blue by posting the Autism Speaks puzzle piece or Light It Up Blue logo on walls or buildings by downloading them here.
No matter what you can do for April 2nd and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April, we hope that you will help us shine a light on all of those individuals affected by autism out there!Growing up, I wish we had a campaign that would bring up the topic of autism on a national level. We now have that and I’m glad that we can be a part of this for years to come!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
No matter what you can do for April 2nd and throughout Autism Awareness Month in April, we hope that you will help us shine a light on all of those individuals affected by autism out there!
Growing up, I wish we had a campaign that would bring up the topic of autism on a national level. We now have that and I’m glad that we can be a part of this for years to come!
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
Posted
in Niagara Gazette: Monday, March 30, 2015 3:00 am
GUEST VIEW: State plan to phase out sheltered workshops is ill advised
SenatorRob Ortt
GUEST VIEW: State plan to phase out sheltered
workshops is ill advised
EDITOR’S NOTE: March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness
Month, and in support of the disability community and sheltered workshops in
his district, New York State Sen. Rob Ortt is urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the
state Office for People With Developmental Disabilities to protect the
workshops from closure. This is the full text of the letter Ortt sent last week
to Kerry A. Delaney, acting commissioner of the OPWDD in Albany.
In recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, I’d
like to renew the push to keep sheltered workshops serving individuals in need
open across the state. As an advocate for the intellectual and developmental
disability community, and as a supporter of work centers in my Senate District,
I’m asking the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and
the Governor to reconsider its plan to phase out these vital workshops in the
coming years.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and
Developmental Disabilities, I have heard from those with disabilities, their
families, their supporters, and their health care professionals. These
individuals all share a deep concern regarding what might happen if these
workshops were to close. This is especially troubling due to insufficient information
provided by the state and an enormous amount of uncertainty surrounding what
the future holds for those facing disabilities, or their caregivers. Without a
plan, we fear that many of these individuals will end up at home, unemployed.
The Arc of Orleans County in Albion is one of many sheltered
workshops in Western New York that touts the freedom of choice and inclusion.
These foundations have proven to be successful for employees in the shop. I’ve
worked with Arc’s executive director, Patty Kepner. Patty and the Arc foster an
environment of freedom and safety. We cannot afford to replace this secure
environment for disabled workers with an unfamiliar employment setting filled
with uncertainty and lacking support structures.
Duane Smith tells the story of so many sheltered workshop
employees. Duane, an elderly employee with Down Syndrome, has been working in
shops for most of his adult life. He works five days a week and his paycheck
provides him something beyond take-home pay. It fills Duane with self-respect –
knowing that he can work like his peers and contemporaries. For Duane, and so
many sheltered workshop employees, being in a work center cultivates a sense of
pride, fulfillment, and accomplishment.
Employees like Tom Popowych like the work and particularly the
social aspect of the job. Tom is one of Arc’s non-verbal employees, and would
have an extremely difficult time adjusting to an integrated setting in a
competitive workplace. Changing Tom’s, along with countless others’, daily
routine could be disruptive and have significant negative consequences. I
believe we should keep Tom alongside the friends and co-workers he’s had for
years and continue to foster his sense of belonging.
A clear plan from the state remains to be articulated for disabled
workers like Tom and Duane. As someone who fought overseas to defend our
freedoms, I’m urging OPWDD and the governor to allow those in the disability
community to keep their voices and their freedoms. We need to protect the
employment and lifestyle opportunities that sheltered workshops provide for
individuals with disabilities. Together, we can make this happen.
The Arc of Orleans County, along with other
area not-for-profits, will be participating in "Spring It On" -
Buffalo Niagara's Day of Giving! This is a day for our supporters to give back
by making a donation to an agency (or agencies) of their choosing. This event
runs for 24 hours only - from 8:00 AM on Thursday, March 19th, until 8:00 AM on
Friday, March 20th.
Gifts to The Arc of Orleans County will benefit Camp Rainbow and/or The Orleans County Nutrition Program – Nutri-Fair/Meals
on Wheels.
Camp Rainbow is our summer day camp located in
Lyndonville. The Camp runs for five weeks each year (2015 dates are July 6th
through August 7th) and is open to all children who reside in Orleans County
between the ages of five who have finished Kindergarten and twenty-one.
The Orleans County Nutrition Program is run in
partnership with the Orleans County Office for the Aging.Lunches are served at onsite locations and
meals are delivered to individuals 60 years of age or older who are homebound,
disabled, chronically ill, recently discharged from the hospital, and/or lack
of cooking or storing facilities.Our
main goal is to assist in maintaining the healthy independence of our senior
population and improving their quality of life.
To make
a gift to The Arc of Orleans County's Camp Rainbow and/or the Orleans County Nutrition Program, click on this link to go
to: Spring It On - The Arc of Orleans County from
8:00 AM on March 19th until 8:00 AM on March 20th.
ACTION ALERT ...... FAMILIES
CANNOT BE CAREGIVERS FOREVER!
Many families of people
with developmental disabilities have been caring for their loves ones for
years. This can be a very challenging job requiring 24-hour attention.
Occasionally, it entails coping with significant behavioral challenges. Some
parents, particularly elderly parents, can no longer provide the care they once
did. As a result, they and their loves ones are in need of new day and/or
residential services. Now, more than ever, we need to advocate on their behalf.
Please help us reach out to our elected officials.
Email Gov. Cuomo & Your Elected Officials and Share
Your Stories or Offer Your Support
Step 1 - Email Your Legislator
Step 2 - Email Governor Cuomo
Step 3 - Petition Governor Cuomo
Step 4 - Share Your Stories!
If you have a personal story you'd like to share to increase the public's
awareness of this important issue, please contact Darlene Golson at the Community Relations Department at
585-589-5516 ext. 228 or via email at dgolson@arcoforleans.org.
For more information on the “Families Cannot Be Caregivers
Forever” go to the NYSARC, Inc. website at www.nysarc.org or DDAWNY at www.ddawny.org.
JOB FAIR FOR THE ARC OF ORLEANS COUNTY At the Orleans Center for Workforce Development NYS Dept of Labor 458 West Ave Albion NY 14411
SAVE THE DATE: MARCH 20, 2015 FROM 1PM-3PM
MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Have a positive impact on the lives of others, experience personal growth and satisfaction in a community of caring people working as a team to help people with developmental disabilities achieve their goals. Full-time/part time positions as a Direct Support Professional for our Community Living Department and/or Vocational Services Department. Flexible hours, day, evening, overnight, weekends & holidays. Good math & writing skills. Must have a valid NYS driver’s license. Experience not required and extensive training is provided. Must be willing to work various hours to include evenings, weekends, overnights & holidays. Must be able to lift, push and pull 40 lbs and must be capable of completing SCIP, CPR, First Aide and other trainings as required.
STARTING RATE: Grade 7DC, STEP 1 - $9.47 per hour.
Send resume to Carol Fox, The Arc of Orleans County, PO Box 439, Albion, NY 14411, Fax 589-5669, E-Mail cfox@arcoforleans.org; visit our website at www.arcoforleans.org
