News from the ASA

[Guest guest]

Dear Friend of ASO:

Just wanted to share this news from the ASA with you. It is more important than ever that we work together to affect positive change for our loved ones with disabilities - at all levels!

FYI - please share.

Sincerely,

Barbara C. YavorcikPresidentAutism Society of Ohio701 S. Main St.Akron, OH 44311(330) 376-0211fax: (330) 376-1226email: askASO@...home: byavorcik@...web: www.autismohio.org2005 ASO Bi-Annual Conference"Reaching Beyond the Horizon - Challenging the Autism Spectrum"Friday and Saturday, October 14-15, 2005 Kingsgate Marriott in Cincinnati, Ohio Please note: This is provided for information purposes only. The ASO does not endorse or recommend any providers, methodologies or services. Providing this information should not be construed as an endorsement by the ASO, either explicit or impiled.

-------------------------------

Autism Society of America Attends Full Participation Summit;First-Ever Meeting Attracts Thousands to Create National AgendaBETHESDA, MD — September 26, 2005 — The Autism Society of America (ASA), the nation's most widely-recognized and largest grassroots organization serving the entire autism community, attended last week the Alliance for Full Participation Summit 2005 in Washington, D.C., the first-ever gathering of over 2,000 persons with developmental disabilities, their families and supporting communities to create a national agenda for full participation. ASA Board Chair Pratt, Ph.D., chapter leaders and ASA staff were on-hand to represent ASA and the autism community at this groundbreaking event. "It is important for ASA to get involved in partnerships with broader disability organizations such as this on behalf of the autism community," said Pratt. "Individuals with disabilities, their families, advocacy groups; we're all in this together. Coming together for the Alliance for Full Participation Summit is a good first step toward a united front for those with developmental disabilities. The hope for this summit is that each state will begin to put together a comprehensive plan to address their individual issues. ASA chapters and members must be part of that process if we are to serve and represent our community." ASA President & CEO Lee Grossman sits on the board of The Council on Quality and Leadership, one of the 11 founding organizations of the Alliance for Full Participation. "ASA is stepping to the plate to collaborate with organizations both inside and outside the autism community," he said. "As a member of The Council's board, we felt it was important for the disability community to work together to facilitate a dialog and create an action plan to ensure that those with developmental disabilities can fully participate in communities of their choice. We look forward to more Alliance events in the future." The Autism Society of America (ASA) is the leading voice and resource of the entire autism community in education, advocacy, services, research and support. The ASA is committed to meaningful participation and self-determination in all aspects of life for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families. ASA accomplishes its mission through close collaboration with a successful network of 200 chapters, and hundreds of thousands of members and supporters. For more information about autism or ASA, visit the ASA Web site, www.autism-society.org, or call toll-free, 1.800.3AUTISM (1.800.328.8476).