FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 9, 2016
Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy Announces
2016 Community Builder Awards
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - At the second-annual WAAALL of IMPACT luncheon on Tuesday, December 6th, Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy (WAAA) recognized those who are making a difference in the lives of families impacted by autism and developmental disabilities. Honorees lauded as Community Builders at Tuesday’s luncheon include:
- State Senator Steve O’Ban – for championing legislation for SB 6564, to provide protections for the most vulnerable people in the state from abuse and neglect. Senator O’Ban was spurred to action by an investigative story from KING 5 detailing the abuse of Tacoma resident Laura Gholston, an adult with autism. Annual inspections failed to recognize that for a number of years Gholston was beat, burned, and locked away by her own state-paid caregiver.
The new law increases home visits and oversight for people with significant developmental disabilities. It also created a new watchdog mechanism to investigate and recommend changes to improve care and safety for these vulnerable populations.
- Experimental Education Unit (EEU) – the EEU at the UW is a leader in inclusive education programming. At the EEU children with disabilities are taught side-by- side with their neurotypical peers.
In 2016 the EEU spearheaded a movement to tackle the Seattle School District’s decision to pull funding for the inclusive kindergarten. Under #InclusionMatters as a rallying battle cry, the EEU roused community members to action. Family-after-family stood up at a Seattle Public Schools Board meeting to plead on behalf of the program and give testimony of the significant impact the EEU had on their family. As a result, the School Board voted unanimously to approve funding for the following year.
- Concur/SAP – WAAA’s third honoree, Concur/SAP, was recognized as a Community Builder for their innovative Autism at Work program. Acknowledged as an industry pacesetter, the company embraces neurodiversity as a hiring priority, with goal to have 1% of the global SAP workforce represented by people on the autism spectrum by 2020. “It gives parents hope to see there is the possibility of a meaningful future for their children,” noted Deepak Seth, Concur employee and autism parent. Concur is a Bellevue based travel management company, owned by SAP Company.
The late state Senator Andy Hill was also recognized for his leadership in the autism community. Key advances made under Senator Hill include:
- The Vulnerable Individuals Priority (VIP) Act - provides services to 5,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities on waiting lists at no additional cost to the State.
- Funding for developmental screening when a child under 36 months is suspected of having autism, improving timely access to diagnostic evaluations and evidence-based treatment referrals.
- Para-educator Development Act – Para-educators provide over half of all instruction time to over 500,000 students who are struggling and need extra help, over 52% are students with disabilities. Thanks to this act, Washington is the first state in the nation to set training guidelines and lay out a career ladder progression for para-educators.
Washington is a state filled with many ardent supporters advocating on behalf of families impacted by autism and developmental disabilities. “Caring for a family member or raising a child with autism or a developmental disability can be an overwhelming, isolating challenge,” stated WAAA Founder and CEO Arzu Forough. “These honorees work alongside WAAA building community to bring social justice, health equity, and inclusion to families impacted by autism and other developmental disabilities.”
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Contact: Susan Steckler
425-894-7231