The National Partners Council meets regularly to allow collaborative partners to exchange information on Center initiatives and activities and discuss current evidence-based resources and information that should be selected and developed for the Autism NOW Center. With the assistance of the National Partners Council, the Autism NOW Center is working to develop resources for people on the autism spectrum, their families, professionals, and the general public.
About the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Since 1876, the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) has been providing worldwide leadership in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. We’re a powerful community of leaders with a strong voice and important mission. AAIDD promotes progressive policies, sound research, effective practices, and universal human rights for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
About the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people. ASAN’s supporters include Autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators and friends. ASAN was created to provide support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum while working to educate communities and improve public perceptions of autism. Their activities include public policy advocacy, community engagement to encourage inclusion and respect for neurodiversity, quality of life oriented research, and the development of Autistic cultural activities. They provide information about autism to the public through a number of different educational, outreach and systems change related projects.
About the Autism Society
Founded in 1965, the Autism Society is the oldest and largest nationwide grassroots autism organization; the mission areas include:
Advocacy – increase public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum at local, state and federal levels.
- Education: cover important topics about living with autism via Autism Advocate magazine, a comprehensive website, the largest annual national conference on autism and trusted information and referral services.
- Support: local chapters provide community support and education paired with nationwide referrals and a free web-based resource directory. Reach us at 800-3AUTISM or [email protected].
- Service: increase access and availability of appropriate services for those on the autism spectrum across the lifespan.
- Research: translate research results into applied practices that improve the everyday lives of those on the autism spectrum.
About Brandeis
Ranked in the top tier of the nation’s universities, Brandeis is one of the youngest private research universities and the only nonsectarian Jewish-sponsored university in the country. Brandeis’ programs emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge, applied research to real-life problems, and public engagement. Autism NOW’s main contact at Brandeis is Dr. Susan Parish, the Nancy Lurie Marks Professor of Disability Policy and the Director of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy in the Heller School for Social Policy and Management.
Dr. Parish’s research examines the health and financial wellbeing of children and adults with disabilities and their caregiving families as well as family support and the impact of health policy and poverty policy on people with disabilities and their families. She currently serves as principal investigator on a National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research-funded field-initiated project on community-based intervention to promote cervical and breast cancer screening for women with developmental disabilities. She also currently serves as co-principal investigator on a project funded by the Health Resources Services Administration that is examining state policy effects on health care access for children with autism.
About the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies
The University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies (CCIDS), Maine’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, is an interdisciplinary education, research and community service unit of the University of Maine. The CCIDS disseminates information about autism and other developmental disabilities and provides a broad range of professional development and technical assistance related to supporting students with autism and related developmental disabilities. CCIDS faculty, staff, and students engage in a wide range of interdisciplinary disability-related research and significant public policy activities related to individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities at the state and national levels. CCIDS collaborates with a wide range of community partners including the Maine Developmental Disabilities Council, the Maine Disability Rights Center, the Maine Department of Education, Speaking Up for Us, Maine Parent Federation, the Autism Society of Maine and Family Voices. CCIDS also coordinates the activities of the Maine ACT Early Summit.
About the Developmental Disabilities Institute
The Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University is Michigan’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. DDI provides statewide programs designed to enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. It offers the following:
- Education to individuals, professionals, paraprofessionals, parents and persons with disabilities
- Support to communities, systems and service providers
- Evaluation of programs and services
- Research on disability issues
- Information that contributes to training and application of knowledge
The mission at DDI is to contribute to the development of inclusive communities and quality of life for people with disabilities and their families through a culturally sensitive statewide program of interdisciplinary education, community support and services, research and dissemination of information.
About the Institute for Community Inclusion – University of Massachusetts Boston
The Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) promotes the full inclusion of people with disabilities in every aspect of society. It accomplishes this through training, research, consultation, and clinical and employment services. Our projects increase disability inclusion throughout New England, across the United States, and internationally. The ICI is a program of the University of Massachusetts Boston and Children’s Hospital Boston. It is part of the national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.
About the Institute on Disability and Human Development
The Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD), a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is part of the Department of Disability and Human Development, in the College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago. IDHD promotes the independence, productivity and inclusion of people with disabilities into all aspects of society. In addition to its interdisciplinary academic programs which include a masters program in disability and human development, and a doctoral program in disability studies, it is the home of several large research centers, clinical programs, and community outreach activities. The values of cultural diversity, consumer choice and self-determination are emphasized across the life course in all training, public service, and research activities of the IDHD.
About the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities
The National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) serves as the national voice of the 55 State and Territorial Councils on Developmental Disabilities. NACDD supports Councils in implementing the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) and promoting the interests and rights of people with developmental disabilities and their families. The DD Act charges Councils to identify the most pressing needs of people with developmental disabilities in their state or territory and to engage in advocacy, systems change and capacity building activities to help States meet the identified needs.
About The National Council on Independent Living
The National Council on Independent Living is the longest-running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. Founded in 1982, NCIL represents thousands of organizations and individuals including: Centers for Independent Living (CIL), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), individuals with disabilities, and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.
As a membership organization, NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy. NCIL envisions a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully.
About the National Council on Aging
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for older Americans — especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities.
About the National Disability Rights Network
The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), is the nonprofit membership organization for the Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP). The P&A/CAP network was established by the United States Congress to protect the rights of people with disabilities and their families through legal support, advocacy, referral, and education. The P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the country. NDRN’s mission is to promote the integrity and capacity of the P&A and (CAP) national network and to advocate for the enactment and vigorous enforcement of laws protecting civil and human rights of people with disabilities.
About the National Military Family Association
The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of military families. Our over 40 years of service and accomplishments have made them a trusted resource for families and the Nation’s leaders. As the only nonprofit organization that represents the families of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Association protects benefits vital to all families, including those of the deployed, wounded, and fallen.
About the National Youth Leadership Network
The National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN) is an organization that works to build power among youth with disabilities. It is a membership-run organization, which means that all of the work it does is led by youth with disabilities and is for youth with disabilities. The organization supports young people in becoming activists and leaders in their communities. Although all of our work is led by youth, anyone (siblings, parents, allies) is free to be a member.
About Self Advocates Becoming Empowered
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE) is a national organization run by and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. SABE represents over 1,200 local and state self-advocacy groups from across the nation that believe in making self-advocacy available to all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The voice of youth and people living in rural areas is strong throughout our networks. The leadership of SABE is elected by the grassroots. It includes equal numbers of men and women, people of many generations, people who use alternative and augmentative communication, gays and lesbians, and people from ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds. SABE believes that people should be given the same decisions, choices, rights, and chances to speak up and empower themselves as everyone else. The organization’s top priorities are to close institutions and eliminate subminimum wage. Equal opportunities will result in healthy friendships, relationships, real jobs for real pay, and an even stronger presence in our communities.
About the Sibling Leadership Network
The Sibling Leadership Network (SLN) is a national nonprofit organization created to support siblings of people with disabilities throughout the lifespan. The mission of SLN is to provide siblings of individuals with disabilities the information, support, and tools to advocate with their brothers and sisters and to promote the issues important to them and their entire families. The SLN has state chapters that connect siblings and their allies at the local level. The SLN has the following core values. It believes:
- Individuals with disabilities have the same rights as all members of society to dignity, respect and the opportunity to grow and to be productive members of their communities.
- Siblings of individuals with disabilities can have a powerful, positive impact on their siblings’ experiences, and are uniquely positioned to help ensure their present and future care in partnership with service organizations and government.
- In promoting the rights of our brothers and sisters, and of all individuals with disabilities, we are committed to advocating for policies and services that meet their needs.
- Siblings can be of great support to one another to enhance both our lives and the lives of our siblings.
About Social Solutions
Social Solutions is the leading provider of performance management software for human services. This company works with organizations to connect efforts to outcomes, people to social services, and communities to stakeholders, and service providers and communities to funders. Designed by human services professionals for human services professionals, the company’s Efforts to Outcomes (ETO™) software has had noted success not only enabling effective case management but also improving service quality and effectiveness and saving time. Social Solutions is also a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, has an enterprise-wide platform for coordinating service delivery, and provides full support for the Results Based Accountability framework.
