April is Autism Acceptance Month. ​In honor of this month, UCP Oregon would like to share a piece written by Andrew Haynes.

​Andrew is the Brokerage Administrative Assistant for UCP Connections, and is a person with Asperger’s. Andrew would like to thank Silas Bird (Operations Coordinator for UCP Connections) for assistance in creating this piece.

​By Andrew Haynes, Brokerage Administrative Assistant, with assistance from Silas Bird, Operations Coordinator

Autism Acceptance Month is a time to celebrate and embrace the unique qualities of individuals on the autism spectrum. It's no longer enough to simply raise awareness about autism; we must shift our focus towards acceptance and inclusion.
 
We must advocate for policies that prioritize inclusion, education, employment opportunities, healthcare access, and social support for autistic individuals.

Reminder! Tomorrow is UCP Oregon's Family Support Group meeting.

The meeting will be held on April 13, at 6:30PM, via Zoom.

AWESOME JOB ALERT!

UCP Oregon is hiring a “Lead Personal Agent” to work in one of our two intellectual/developmental disabilities support services brokerages--UCP Mentors. 

The Lead Personal Agent provides leadership, consultation, and oversight of key aspects of UCP’s brokerage services as it relates to the provision of person-centered, trauma-informed, self-directed case management services. The core responsibilities will include review of ISPs, caseload consultation, Personal Agent hiring, training, and supervision, quality assurance measures, and development of key policies and procedures. The Lead PA may also carry a small caseload.

This position earns a $63,336 annual salary, with great benefits. 

It’s April, which means it’s “Autism Awareness Month.” It’s also “Autism Acceptance Month.”
 
As Autism Parenting Magazine writes, “Autistic people aren’t a monolith—everyone has their own preference for what terminology he/she/they finds empowering. Still, many support the shift from ‘awareness’ to ‘acceptance.’”
 
Self-advocate and blogger Lyric Holmans says, “Autism Awareness—knowing autistic people exist. Autistic Acceptance—accepting autistic people as they are, strengths and weaknesses. Autistic Pride—autistic people feeling safe & confident enough to have pride in their authentic neurodivergent selves.”

Self-advocate Kassiane S says, “Awareness is easy. Acceptance requires actual work.”
 
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network agrees, saying, “Acceptance is an action. This means that autism acceptance is an active process that requires both a shift in thinking and in action.”

Many other groups have also moved from “acceptance” to “awareness.” They include the Autism Society of America, the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network, and the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities.
 
Whichever name you choose to use, we hope you’ll join us this month—and always!—by embracing neurodiversity.