Welcome to National Autism News. Early bird registration for CALS2024 is now open!
December 3 is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
Today, equal rights are not met for persons with disabilities, especially for those with intersecting identities. Persons with disabilities continue to be disproportionately impacted by existing inequities in policies, programs, and services in our society.
We proudly recognize the work being done across Canada to improve equity, accessibility, and outcomes with, for, and by persons with disabilities. In this newsletter, we highlight some of the work being done towards a more inclusive Canada. Learn more about IDPD 2023
Registration for the 10th Annual Autism Leadership Summit is Now Open! Deadline to secure early bird tickets: January 31, 2024
Join us at CALS2024, Autism Alliance of Canada's signature event, from April 17 to 19, 2024, either in person at the Fairmont Château Laurier Ottawa, or online via livestream! CALS2024 will highlight developments to date and work to be done around three key themes:
Inform – We will gather experts with updates on the National Autism Strategy and the development of national disability policy for Canada that addresses the diverse needs of Autistic people and their families.
Implement – We will identify policies, programs, services and supports with the potential to strengthen the impact of the National Autism Strategy.
Innovate – We will explore valuable processes, promising and emerging practices, ideas, and research that can advance our collective work.
With our strong, collective voice, we will continue to press forward to build a more inclusive Canada for Autistic people and their loved ones. Let’s discuss, dialogue, and seek consensus on the priorities identified by the Autistic community, including housing, access to supports, and growing old.
We are delighted to confirm that members of Autism Alliance of Canada will benefit from discounted rates for CALS2024. Early bird registration is open until January 31, 2024.
We are pleased to welcome Dr. Alexia Ostrolenk as Autism Alliance of Canada’s 2023-2025 Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Health System Impact Fellow (HSIF)!Dr. Ostrolenk will be joining the Alliance’s highly skilled community of fellows, past and current, who have a track record of engaging in impactful, community-driven projects.
Dr. Ostrolenk will be advancing the “Autism Evidence Synthesis Initiative,” a joint effort between Autism Alliance of Canada and the SPOR Evidence Alliance. The initiative’s goal is to create knowledge synthesis products that inform autism policy and practice in Canada. READ THE FULL STORY
Phase 1 of the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment Successfully Completed
We are proud to share that we have successfully concluded Phase 1 of the Canadian Autistic Adult Needs Assessment!
The survey was completed by 1,915 participants from all provinces and territories. The findings, submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada, will shape government policy and drive future research to address the needs of Autistic adults across Canada.
A big round of applause goes to Dr. Mackenzie Salt, Autism Alliance of Canada's Postdoctoral Fellow, for leading the project, and to the team, which included Marina Schor, Simone Daniels, Dr. Deepa Singal, Dr. Jonathan Lai, and Dr. Stelios Georgiades, for providing their support and guidance.
Dr. Salt wishes to express gratitude to those who completed the survey and to the organizations that helped to spread the word. Stay tuned for our public report once the data is analyzed. Learn more here
The CALS2024 program aims to generate specific actions to be taken by the federal government to advance a National Autism Strategy. It also includes tons of opportunities for storytelling and networking. Click on the button below to view our first wave of confirmed sessions. Stay tuned for more updates! View the confirmed sessions
CALS2024 is committed to hosting an accessible event where everyone has the opportunity to not only attend but also meaningfully participate. To make CALS2024 more accessible to those wishing to attend, we have launched the CALS2024 Financial Support Program for persons with lived experience. Click on the button below to learn more. The deadline to apply is January 7, 2024. Apply for the Financial Support Program
We are now inviting submissions to the CALS2024 Community Showcase! The purpose of this in-person networking session is to share information, spark conversations and create opportunities for collaboration with other attendees. Click on the button below to learn more. The deadline to submit a proposal is January 14, 2024. Submit a Proposal for Community Showcase
Call for submissions: Do you know someone who has demonstrated the leadership and values that reflect the Munsons’ commitment to the creation of a National Autism Strategy? Submit a nomination for the Third Munson Award
Call for Artists: Would you like your artwork to be presented to the recipient of the Third Annual Munson Award?
The deadline to submit a nomination or to submit an art piece is January 15, 2024. Submit a piece of art to be awarded to the recipient of the Third Munson Award
We look forward to presenting and participating at the 2023 Disability and Work in Canada Conference (DWC 2023) next week!
The theme for DWC 2023 is the “Livelihoods and influencing the future of work for people with disabilities: A focus on rights, and quality of life.”
On November 29, 2023, join the session coordinated by Autism Alliance of Canada, “Progressing in Your Career: From Pre-Employment to Career Advancement,” where self-advocates will share their personal journeys with career progression and mentorship. You will also hear from experts in inclusive employment from Ready, Willing & Able, Sinneave Family Foundation, and LiveWorkPlay, who will share how their programs foster career advancement for neurodiverse participants.
Moderated by Sinthea Chowdhury, National Program Coordinator at Ready, Willing & Able, this panel will feature the following presenters:
Andrew Depedro, Office and Program Support Administrator at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) and Self-Advocate;
Drew Barclay, Self-Advocate, currently working in the retail space;
Anna Nelson, Director of Employment Supports at LiveWorkPlay;
Frank Fagan, Assistant National Director at Ready, Willing & Able and;
Tanya McLeod, President of Sinneave Family Foundation and National Project Director at Employment Works National Project.
You’re invited to join the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for the live and interactive webinar to learn more about the benefits and credits available to persons with disabilities and their caregivers.The session will talk about:
Disability tax credit (DTC)
Child disability benefit, Canada workers benefit disability supplement, Canada caregiver credit and other benefits and credits
Registered disability savings plan (RDSP) and Home Buyers’ Plan
Ways to do your taxes and other CRA services
The Government of Canada is launching the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool!The Government of Canada is taking the next step in implementing the Canada Disability Benefit, with the launch of the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations Online Engagement Tool, which will give all Canadians, but especially Canadians with disabilities, the opportunity to have their say in the development of regulations for the benefit.The tool will be open for comments until December 21, 2023.