Urban Education Law & Policy Initiative - Serving Urban Students with Autism
The Urban Education Law & Policy Initiative (UELPI) will convene a panel to address the challenges of providing appropriate services to children with autism in urban settings on Monday, April 5, 2010 at 4pm.
For its annual panel discussion, the Urban Education Law & Policy initiative has assembled a group of leaders, lawyers and stakeholders to discuss the state of autism services in urban school districts. The panelists will discuss the barriers to providing appropriate services for urban students and how law and policy changes can help overcome these barriers.
Much has been said about the meteoric rise in the prevalence of autism over the last twenty years. The CDC reports that 1 in 110 children are classified with an autism spectrum disorder nationally, and that rate is increasing every year. Autism New Jersey reports the rate in New Jersey to be 1 in 94.
The panel will be held on Monday April 5th, 2010 at 4pm in room 273. The panelists will include: Kim Williams, a Newark resident with a 19-year-old autistic daughter; Michele Adubato, the Deputy Executive Director of the North Ward Center, and a founder of the Autism Center; Paul Prior of Hinkle, Fingles, and Prior, a disabilities law firm, Suzanne Mack, a long-time member of the Jersey City Board of Education, and New Jersey Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, of the 29th District. A reception will follow. RSVP at urbaneducationlawandpolicy@gmail.com.