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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois believes in equal treatment
3and opportunity for all citizens, including those on the autism
4spectrum; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Individuals on the autism spectrum deserve the
6educational, employment, recreational, and other opportunities
7that a nurturing and welcoming community can foster; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Thanks to a parent-led volunteer initiative
9spanning nearly two decades, Autism McLean has established an
10Autism Friendly Community presence in Bloomington-Normal and
11McLean County; and
 
12    WHEREAS, This initiative includes providing a white paper
13for local governments on an Autism Friendly Community and
14working with local governments, planning agencies, public
15institutions, and private businesses to establish Autism
16Friendly guidelines; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Autism McLean, through its Autism Friendly
18Community initiative, partners with other autism-focused
19organizations, including Marcfirst, the HEAL Foundation, The
20Autism Program, the Illinois Wesleyan University Autism Peer
21Group, and Illinois State University Students Supporting

 

 

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1Individuals with Disabilities, to raise awareness on autism;
2this includes helping local agencies, governmental bodies, and
3the private sector accommodate individuals and their families
4living with autism in seeking employment, housing, education,
5recreation, and full community inclusion; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Along with reaching community goals, this
7outreach includes making Autism Sensory kits available to local
8museums, restaurants, libraries, and other institutions so
9that tools are available to assist people on the autism
10spectrum to feel included and comfortable in public settings;
11and
 
12    WHEREAS, General awareness of autism throughout McLean
13County has increased due to these volunteer efforts; and
 
14    WHEREAS, Autism McLean, though its Autism Friendly
15Community initiative, runs a model program that other
16communities in the state could replicate by uniting parents,
17allies, self-advocates, and local agencies; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
19HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
20we commend Autism McLean and its partners for their efforts to
21provide community building and opportunities for people on the
22autism spectrum; and be it further
 

 

 

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1    RESOLVED, We commend Autism McLean and its Autism Friendly
2Community partners for operating such a successful community
3resource that has statewide implications, and we encourage
4other communities to study this model for autism inclusion; and
5be it further
 
6    RESOLVED, That we commend Bloomington-Normal and McLean
7County for leading the state with its first Autism Friendly
8Community initiative.