Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara will host his annual Autism Action Day at our State Capitol, with a public invitation to all affected by autism and other developmental disabilities.

Santabarbara, whose 15-year-old son, Michael, was diagnosed with autism at age 3, introduced an Assembly resolution that recognizes April as Autism Awareness Month in New York State in conjunction with National Autism Awareness Month.

Efforts to advance the conversation on autism issues and strengthen support for Santabarbara’s Autism Action NY initiative for legislation and funding for thousands of New Yorkers have led to a new day in New York State.

Autism Action Day 2017 will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 5th, in the Well of the Legislative Office Building, 198 State St., Albany, NY 12210, with a formal program to begin at 10 a.m. This call to action day brings together organizations, self-advocates and family members along with legislators from across New York State in a united call for action on autism related issues.

Assemblyman Santabarbara’s Autism Action NY initiative includes a series of bills aimed at increasing employment opportunities; expanding independent housing options; improving access to technology; communication; and, creating a centralized of available services.

Last year, a critical piece of the Autism Action NY was signed into law (Chap. 469 of 2016). The measure created the state’s first Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Board to develop, implement and update a statewide Autism Action Plan that incorporates new information as it becomes available. Santabarbara will give a legislative update on the recent success of Autism Action NY during the event including the details of new members appointed to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Board.

“About 1 in 68 children in the United States are living with autism, and at some point it will be 1 in 68 adults,” said Santabarbara, who serves as Chair the Assembly’s Subcommittee on Autism Spectrum Disorders. “Whether you are a self-advocate or have a family member, friend or someone in your community affected by autism, Autism Action Day is an opportunity to join the conversation and add your voice to a statewide call for action.”

“Individuals with autism in New York State deserve a coordinated system of care that meets their needs and the needs of their families in all facets of life, including employment, community living, health and wellness, and housing,” said Janine Kruiswijk, Executive Director of the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region. “Our hope is that bringing an advisory council together to consider the needs of all individuals with autism and their families is the first step of many in New York toward acknowledging and serving our citizens who are touched by autism, and we are very thankful and appreciative of the efforts of Assemblyman Santabarbara and his passion and dedication to serving all those affected by autism.”

“During National Autism Awareness Month and throughout the year, we recognize the contributions of New Yorkers living with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) to the social and economic well-being of our communities,” said Ron Romano, President of NYSID. “NYSID joins those gathered here to celebrate the ways in which we collectively turn business opportunities into jobs for New Yorkers in the autism community.”

“Over the past six decades, Liberty has never lost sight of the values established by the parents who founded our organization. Since then we have greatly expanded the range of supports and services we offer, at the same time recognizing the need to seek new avenues to challenge, improve and impact the lives of those with autism and other disabilities,” said Jennifer Saunders, Liberty ARC CEO.

The day of action, which is free and open to the public, will include representatives from local organizations from Schenectady and Montgomery counties such as Schenectady ARC and Liberty ARC and the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region, statewide groups like the New York State Association of Community & Residential Agencies (NYSACRA) and New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID), Wildwood School and Crossroads Center for Children.

ABC News 10 anchor Christina Arangio will be emcee for the day’s events, with comments from self-advocates in attendance who will share their day-to-day challenges and first-hand experiences from their own communities throughout the day.

A line up of special guest speakers for Autism Action Day include statewide organizations, self-advocates and families affected by Autism– as well as this year’s Autism Action Award honoree, Ray Legere of The Legere Companies in Schenectady will share his connection to the Autism community and be recognized at the event. In an effort to advance the conversation on autism issues and strengthen support for a plan to unlock the potential of thousands of New Yorkers, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara last year unveiled his Autism Action NY initiative last year in the State Assembly. Autism Action NY includes legislation aimed at increasing job opportunities; providing independent housing options; improving access to information; assisting in communication; and, creating a centralized location for available services in New York State.

Supporters of Autism Action NY, will also speak, along with members of the Assembly, Assemblyman Tom Abinanti and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, who chairs the Committee on Mental Health.

Santabarbara added, “We must do everything we can to provide those affected by autism with the support and resources needed to help engage the community on their own terms. Now is the time and this is the day to take action.”