STLCC Observes Autism Acceptance Month

 

April is Autism Acceptance Month, an observance to highlight the increasing number of individuals on the autism spectrum and the impacts on families. This observance was created by and for the autistic community to change the conversation around autism, and to help spread awareness, promote acceptance, and ignite change.

At STLCC, we support autism acceptance as it aligns with valuing people for who they are, and we believe that every individual has the right to be a valued and contributing member of their community without demand for change.

Throughout the month, there will be opportunities to share stories and resources, educate others about autism and issues within the autism community, and drive home the importance of acceptance, including:

STLCC Radio Interviews and Listening Parties

The Access Office invites all students, faculty, and staff to join us during one of our virtual presentations. Please tune into the STLCC campus radio station, KCFV 89.5 FM, during the last two weeks of April. Autistic students and staff, and a parent/faculty member of an autistic child will share their experiences of autism. You will have the opportunity to ask questions of our panel or share your own experiences. Updated dates and times will be posted on Instagram @Access_STLCC.

April 18, 2023, 1p.m.-2p.m.
Click here to join the meeting

April 24, 2023, 11a.m.-12p.m.
Click here to join the meeting

Virtual Community Events

Friday, April 14, 2023, 9am-4:30pm
“The Art of Neurodiversity: Learning from Neurodivergent Creativity”
Hosted by Project REACH & CUNY Disability Programs, this virtual event will highlight neurodivergent artists and the vast creativity at the heart of the neurodiversity movement. We can all learn from neurodivergent creativity, including how to support people in ways that recognize the full diversity of the spectrum.
Click here to register (advanced registration required)

Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 2pm-3pm
“A Year of Collective Progress for Disability Economic Justice”
Hosted by the Disability Economic Justice Collaborative, this virtual event will celebrate the Collaborative’s year one accomplishments and explore how race, gender, LGBTQIA+ status, and other identities intersect in the lives of disabled people.
Click here to register (advanced registration required)

Thursday, April 20, 2023, 6:30-7:30pm
“Ask the Expert with Dr. Kerry Magro”
Dr. Kerry Magro Ed.D. is an award-winning autistic professional speaker, best-selling author and autism consultant to the HBO series “Mrs. Fletcher” that aired in Fall 2019 and the latest season of Netflix’s Emmy-Award Winning Series “Love on the Spectrum.” In addition, Kerry is CEO & President of KFM Making a Difference, a nonprofit organization that hosts inclusion events and has provided 100 scholarships for students with autism for college and counting since 2011.
Click here to register (advanced registration required).

STLCC’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At STLCC, we seek to understand and embrace neurodiversity, as we work to empower autistic self-determination, inclusion, and respect. We take autism awareness and acceptance as a daily effort beyond the month of April, and we understand that action is also critical.

An example of our commitment in action is our ongoing partnership with the Starkloff Disability Institute (SDI), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities participate fully and equally in all aspects of society. As the College works to further strengthen this partnership, we are proud to announce Amy Bird, Director of Access & Student Success, will be joining Starkloff’s Board of Directors to support their ongoing efforts to make the STL region more inclusive and welcoming for people with disabilities.

“Serving on the board for SDI is truly an honor. Years of working in disability services has allowed me to better appreciate the significant contributions and accomplishments of the Starkloff's in the St. Louis area as well as nationally. I look forward to helping advance SDI and STLCC’s shared mission of making our community more inclusive for individuals with disabilities,” said Amy Bird, STLCC’s Director of Access and Success.