As a society, we have an obligation to secure a brighter future for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. By taking action now, we can ensure that adults with autism break free of the all-too-common status of “dependency” and become engaged, involved and ideally, tax-paying, members of their communities. It is time to develop and drive policies that provide for life-long living and learning with autism.

Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism (AFAA) is a national consortium seeking to create meaningful futures for adults with autism that include homes, jobs, recreation, friends and supportive communities.

On November 13th, 2009, Americans came together across 16 sites to create a policy agenda for addressing the needs of adults with autism. See below to view speeches made at the National Town Hall meeting in Chicago.

*New! Click here to view SARRC's Report: New Study Addresses Residential Options for Adults Living with Autism and Related Disorders

**Click here to view the preliminary report of the general themes, discussions and statistics that came out of the National Town Hall!**


Lisa Goring Introduces AFAA's National Town Hall Meeting in Chicago (YouTube ~7 minutes)


Peter Bell's Keynote at National Town Hall Meeting in Chicago pt. 1 (YouTube ~7 minutes)


Peter Bell's Keynote at National Town Hall Meeting in Chicago pt. 2 (YouTube ~6 minutes)


Chicago Mayor and Mrs. Daley at the National Town Hall Meeting (YouTube ~4 minutes)


Lisa Goring's Closing Remarks at National Town Hall Meeting (YouTube ~4 minutes)

 

**The AFAA Town Hall Meeting Participant's Guide is available online. Click here to view the PDF version.**

This unique national consortium has united to set national priorities for adults on the autism spectrum and to transform public policy and programming for teens and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Throughout 2009, AFAA will collect information, develop strategic solutions and advance the national agenda.

New! See Answers to AFAA Frequently Asked Questions

New! The Think Tank Summary Report and Addendum have been added here.

New!  Please visit the AFAA page on Facebook!

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