In a rally organized by UJA-Federation of New York, more than 100 people stood on the steps of City Hall on May 27 to urge the New York City Council to continue its funding of $1.575 million for autism services.
Holding signs reading “1 in 150,” parents of children on the autism spectrum and 18 organizations providing autism services participated in the event on the day when the City Council held a hearing on the budget for disability-service programs. Eight of the organizations represented were beneficiary agencies of UJA-Federation.
Ron Soloway, managing director of UJA-Federation’s Department of Government Relations and External Affairs, introduced Council Member David Weprin, chair of the City Council’s Finance Committee, and Council Member Oliver Koppell, chair of its Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, and Disability Services.
“I’m a proud sponsor of the Autism Initiative, which last year received $1.575 million,” said Council Member Weprin. “[It’s] a small amount of money in the overall budget, but it goes a long way to helping children.”
Council Member Koppell vowed to “fight as hard as possible to maintain . . . the Autism Initiative. . . . Because of the fiscal shortfall, we have to make cuts,” he said, “but we’ll do everything in our power to maintain this program for young people who need the attention now.”
In 2009, the “1 in 150” Initiative supported 13 training and 9 after-school and weekend program providers who conducted 160 training workshops, reaching 2,000 parents and caregivers and more than 3,000 professionals in all five boroughs. After-school, weekend, recreational, and respite programs were provided for 215 children on the autism spectrum. The “1 in 150” refers to the statistic that one child in 150 is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. UJA-Federation played a critical role in establishing the initiative and continues to provide leadership for its continuation, said Anita Altman, deputy managing director of the Department of Government Relations and External Affairs.
“We need to keep this initiative on the table,” said Lucina Clarke, executive director of My Time, Inc., in Brooklyn, which provides support services to parents and caregivers of children with autism and developmental disabilities. “Without [the initiative], our families are in crisis.”
Donna Long, executive director of the Grace Foundation of New York, in Staten Island, also emphasized family needs. “Autism doesn’t just impact the child,” she said. “It impacts the entire family. We need to ensure that our children live meaningful and independent lives . . . . It’s vital that we have the services. I realize the economic climate is difficult, but the needs don’t go away.”
For Harry Weisman, whose son Austin, 6, attends the after-school soccer and basketball programs at the Samuel Field Y in Queens, the programs “give hope for the future when you see progress.” “Autism isn’t a sickness,” Weisman said, “ It’s a way of life. . . . It’s nice to see Austin do the typical things other children do . . . but he needs one-to-one instruction to play soccer,” which is made possible through Samuel Field Y’s program. “Funding is important because Austin can’t go to a typical soccer team,” he said.
Eugene Itkin’s 7-year-old son attends the afterschool program at Shorefront YM-YWHA of Brighton-Manhattan Beach. “We’ve noticed significant improvement in our son’s speech and behavior with the program,” Itkin said. “I came from Belorussia in 1992. In Russia, if you have a disability you’re considered an outsider and rejected. . . . This country provides opportunities for disabled people to participate in society. . . . I want to see this program continue — not just for my son, but that we don’t give up on someone.”
In two weeks, the City Council will begin budget negotiations that will determine funding for the Autism Initiative.