Autism Speaks Has Launched a Housing and Community Living Initiative

Illinois, Florida and New Jersey - what do they all have in common? Waiting lists with over 20,000 developmentally disabled individuals needing home and community-based services (HCBS). Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization, is launching its initiative to increase the capacity of HCBS providers and increase available housing options for adults with autism. This year, Autism Speaks will be leading this initiative in three states, Illinois, Florida and New Jersey. According to a 2010 survey conducted by The Arc, most adults with developmental disabilities live with their parents and 62 percent do not know where they will live when their parents can no longer care for them. This unfortunate reality makes the need to increase housing and HCBS services a priority for the developmentally disabled community. Autism Speaks is calling on you to help advocate and volunteer to help expand community-based services in these three states. Join this grassroots campaign to encourage legislatures to support greater HCBS options for the developmentally disabled community. For more information click here, or to join the cause email advocacy@autismspeaks.org