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Autism Action Plan Signed Into Law

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara
Lucas Willard
/
WAMC
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed into law legislation that would create an Autism Action Plan. The plan intends to identify the most effective ways to support New Yorkers living with the fastest-growing developmental disability in the country.

Inside Puzzles Bakery, a Schenectady business that employs adults with autism, Democratic Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara celebrated the Autism Action Plan legislation he sponsored that was recently signed by Governor Cuomo.

Santabarbara, whose teenage son Michael lives with autism, said there’s a critical shortage of support services for the developmental disability that is becoming more prevalent.

“One percent of the world is affected by autism at this point. One in 68 in the United States, 1.35 million Americans. And this Autism Action Plan is something that goes from childhood through education into adulthood,” said Santabarbara.

The five-point plan will bring together advocates from around the state to identify ways to increase job opportunities, housing, access to information, communication, and create a centralized location for services for individuals and families dealing with autism.

Santabarbara said creating a singular go-to resource for families is perhaps most important.

“We’re talking about housing opportunities, we’re talking about employment opportunities. We’re talking about when individuals are done with school, where do they go next? How do they engage the community? That’s what this model is going to look at. It’s going to take the best information, not just in New York, but across the entire country and around the world, and bring it into New York’s Autism Action Plan and make us a true leader,” said Santabarbara.

Kirk Lewis, Executive Director of Schenectady ARC, said his organization works with businesses and educational institutions within the city.

Lewis said the plan will help increase communication between all those involved with aiding those living with autism.

“This new board, this new Action Plan, will allow us to do even more. It will allow us to cross the silos that sometimes build up, and they prevent the effective delivery of services,” said Lewis.

Tom Schreck of Wildwood Programs, a Schenectady-based organization that supports about 1,000 individuals a year living with autism and learning disabilities, said the legislation will strengthen the entire community.

“But we know at Wildwood Programs, is that when you provide good, strong services for people with disabilities, it strengthens not only them, not only makes them moreindependent, gives them more of a life that’s productive and marked by fulfillment, it also strengthens our entire community. It makes us stronger. It makes our families stronger,” said Schreck.

The Autism Action legislation was approved unanimously by both houses of the New York State legislature. It goes into effect immediately with the governor’s signature.

Lucas Willard is a reporter and host at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, which he joined in 2011.
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