Come and learn how to tell your own/your child’s story to other caregivers and local elected officials.  Have your voices heard!

The Mosaic MEE! (Nebraska Advocacy Project) is an opportunity for individuals, parents, and guardians of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to build relationships with elected officials. You’ll receive resources to assist you along the way.

Tuesday, October 4th @ 2:00pm

Presented by: Sheila Page

Legislative Aide to State Senator Colby Coash

Download a flyer HERE.

**Future Webinars**

Building Collaborations and Working Together Through Difficulties
Tuesday, November 1st @ 2:00pm
By: Bridget Cannon-Hale, MSW; Consultant

Building Relationships with Your State Senators
Wednesday, December 6th @ 2:00pm
Presented by: Denny Byars
Former State Senator for NE Legislature

Walk Now for Autism

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Autism Puzzle Walk

Why are there two autism walks? 

What is the difference?

Autism Speaks WALK NOW FOR AUTISM — October 9, 2011

   This walk supports Nebraska families by…

· funding global research into the causes, prevention, treatments and cure for autism

· raising public awareness about autism

· supporting insurance legislation efforts in various states. In 2011 they began working with Autism Action Partnership on this initiative here in Nebraska.

· Providing community grants that are awarded to service providers throughout the United States.

100% of the walk proceeds are used by the Autism Speaks national organization in carrying out their global mission.

Autism Society of Nebraska AUTISM PUZZLE WALK — April 28, 2012

   This walk supports Nebraska families by…

· facilitating a support network across Nebraska.  The Autism Society funds support groups across the state and has helped created family events such as pool parties, pumpkin patch outings, holiday gatherings, movie nights and family events at local attractions.  Local groups have joined forces with other organizations to create Fire Safety Days, Day Camps, Husker Heroes, Sleeping with the Sharks as well as helping sponsoring the Lose the Training Wheels camp.

· keeping the Nebraska Autism Community networked through our web site, electronic Newsgram, Yahoo list serve and Facebook page.

· creating conferences and workshops to bring training to our local community in conjunction with other Nebraska advocacy and educational groups.

· providing family and individual scholarships for Nebraska citizens.

· NEW in 2012!  Providing community grants to teachers and service providers who serve the local Nebraska autism community.

100% of the walk proceeds are used by the Nebraska chapter of the Autism Society in carrying out their local mission.

The Combating Autism Reauthorization Act allows for significant federal appropriations meant to assist all individuals affected by autism. The law focuses on expanding research and coordination at the National Institutes of Health, increasing awareness and surveillance at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and expanding the interdisciplinary training of health professionals to identify and support children with ASD and their families. On September 30, there will be an immediate hard stop of this federal funding. That means some existing federal efforts through the previously noted agencies will be forced to cease their efforts.

To preserve the progress that has been made, the Autism Society believes the Combating Autism Reauthorization Act of 2011 (S. 1094/HR 2005) must be enacted urgently.

Visit the Autism Society of America link below where they have an electronic tool to help you customize an email to your local respresentatives.  It truly only takes a couple of minutes to be heard! 

As of today, neither of our senators have signed on!  Tell them that you need their support!

Click here to tell your Nebraska Reps that you are out here and you need their support!

The IDEA National Survey Project is sponsored by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, National Down Syndrome Society, Autism Society of America, Autism National Committee, and The Advocacy Institute. The purpose is to study whether parents perceive the playing field as level for children with disabilities and their parents, and whether they believe their rights are protected. The survey will examine what parents and those who work with parents think about these issues. The deadline for completing the survey is July 12, 2011.

The survey will examine whether parents perceive themselves as being treated as equal partners in their children’s education, and what self-advocates and those who work with parent think. We ask questions about whether the rights of students with disabilities and their parents protected throughout the special education process, including IEP meetings, decisions about special education, evaluations and eligibility, and Due Process and Impartial Hearings. We also ask about inclusion and whether children with disabilities receive the education they need, or whether they are deprived of important services. We will be using your answers to compile a report about the experiences and perceptions of parents and those who work with them regarding these issues. See the survey Privacy Policy for more information.

All disabilities are welcome! The survey is not limited to the disabilities on which the sponsoring organizations focus. We are studying these issues as they affect all children with disabilities and special needs. We also have surveys for all members of the community.

Click here to take the survey!

Checkout the AWESOME float the North Platte Autism Society group put together for this weekend’s Nebraskaland Day’s Parade!  GREAT JOB!

Don’t forget to help us celebrate World Autism Day!  You can still sign up and join us at the State Capitol as it lights the top of the building blue in honor of World Autism Day. 

Friday, April 1st 7pm in Lincoln

Members from the Autism Family Network and the Autism Society of Nebraska will also be meeting outside on the west side (S 14th Street) of the Capitol at 7pm to show our support with glow sticks as our State Capitol lights up blue. 

To register for this event go to www.lightitupblue.org.  On the right hand side under “participate” you will see some featured events such as the Empire State Building.  Click o View All at the bottom which will take you to a new page and then click on Nebraska State Capitol and sign up!  we would love to make a chain of support around the Capitol and raise autism awareness!   We are hoping our blue will shine across the state!

April 2nd is World Autism Day.

Join us as we celebrate World Autism Awareness Day on the evening of April 1st as the Nebraska State Capitol will light up blue.  Autism Speaks together with the Autism Family Network and the Autism Society of Nebraska will turn Nebraska’s red & white to blue on the west side of the state capitol by the Lincoln statue.   We will distribute glow lights and stand together as the capitol shines blue for autism.

Please help us prepare for this night of unity by registering at www.lightitupblue.org

You are invited to join the board members from the Autism Family Network & the Autism Society of Nebraska as we gather in support of Autism Speaks at the Capitol on March 9 at 1:30 p.m. as Governor Heineman proclaims April as Autism Awareness Month and April 1, 2011 as World Autism Day in Nebraska. 

We will meet March 9 @ 1:30pm at the State Capitol in the Warner Chamber which is on the second floor across from the Rotunda. Everyone is welcome; parents, grandparents, kids, siblings, aunts and uncles and even children of those on the spectrum! 

Please join us in support of those affected by autism! 

Here is a copy of the proclamation:

Autism Speaks together with The Autism Family Network and Autism Society of Nebraska would like to proclaim April as Autism Awareness Month and World Autism Awareness Day on April 1, 2011. During the month of April, local and national autism organizations will work to educate the public about autism spectrum disorders, as well as inform parents and professionals about available services. We encourage all Nebraskans to work together to ensure that individuals with autism spectrum disorders are accurately diagnosed and treated with equal rights, respect, and dignity throughout their lives. By joining autism organizations all around the world, we will give a voice to the millions of individuals worldwide who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. Please join us in our effort to inspire compassion, inclusion and hope.

Thank you to the members of the Autism Society of Nebraska and Lincoln’s Autism Family Network for taking time out of their busy lives to represent our community at the Arc of Nebraska’s Dinner with the Senators.  

It was a very nice evening and an important step in letting everyone know that we are out here and that our community is needing their help!