Friday, September 14, 2007

Autism Day of Action - September 15




Saturday, September 15 is the Ontario Autism Coalition Day of Action with events across Ontario. The OAC is doing an outstanding job of bringing autism issues to the attention of politicians during this Ontario election and into the public consciousness.



September 15, 2007 will be marked by events held at MPP riding offices including Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, Windsor, Essex, and Sarnia.


"Autism issues fall under the mandate of the UN declaration of the rights of the Disabled, a declaration to which Canada is signatory", says Laura Kirby-McIntosh, a member of the OAC executive committee." In Ontario, the current government has failed children with autism by denying them full and immediate access to ABA/IBI within the school system. This has resulted in a growing waitlist that is now in excess of 1,000 children. Parents have no option but to go into financial hardship in order to provide this necessary therapy for their children.


"Autism rights are universal and every province and territory in Canada must ensure that these rights are respected and promoted. This day of action is an important opportunity for the citizens of Ontario to remind their political leaders of these rights and press them for their commitment to them." says Ms. McIntosh.


The OAC is asking for a commitment from all political parties to the following:


1) Allow Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) instructor therapists currently working within the Autism Intervention Program (AIP) entry into the school system so that scientifically valid, supervised Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) can be implemented. Children receiving intensive ABA through the AIP and students attending school should receive the same quality of ABA services.


2) Eliminate the waitlist in the AIP and fully fund services for all children with Autism-from the mild to severe end of the Autism Spectrum.


3) Develop a formal credentialing system and a proper training and recruitment system for the implementation of ABA to ensure accountability and capacity within the system.

People interested in Getting Political with the Ontario Autism Coalition on the Autism Day of Action can join the OAC reps at the following locations across Ontario. OAC contact coordinates for each location also follow.

Ottawa


Premier Dalton McGuinty’s office

1795 Kilborn Av

Ottawa ON K1H 6N1

Tel :613-736-9573

Fax :613-736-7374

dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
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Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm

Contact OAC Executive Member, Sam Yassine for more information:

613-841-3886

Sam_yassine@rogers.com
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North Toronto


Greg Sorbara’s office (Minister of Finance)

Unit AU8- 140 Woodbridge Ave

Woodbridge ON L4L 4K9

Tel :905-851-0440

Fax :905-851-0210

gsorbara.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
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Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Contact OAC Executive Member, Sharon Gabison for more information:

647-892-4418

shar.gabison@utoronto.ca
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Toronto

Kathleen Wynne’s office (Minister of Education)

146 Laird Dr, Suite 101

Toronto ON M4G 3V7

Tel :416-425-6777

Fax :416-425-0350

kwynne.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
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Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Contact OAC Executive Member, Malcolm Stanley for more information:

416-275-3562

amstanley@rogers.com
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Windsor


Sandra Pupatello’s office (Minister of Economic Development and Trade)

1483 Ouellette Ave

Windsor ON N8X 1K1

Tel : 519-977-7191

Fax :519-977-7029

spupatello.mpp@liberal.ola.org
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Time: 10:00 AM

Contact OAC Executive Member, Mary Beth Rocheleau for more information:

519-734-6387

grocheleau6@hotmail.com
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Essex


Bruce Crozier (Deputy Speaker)

78 Talbot St N

Essex ON N8M 1A2

Tel :519-776-6420

Fax :519-776-5763

bcrozier.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
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Time: 10:00AM

Contact OAC Executive Member, Mary Beth Rocheleau for more information:

519-734-6387

grocheleau6@hotmail.com
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Sarnia


Caroline DiCocco (Minister of Culture)

Campaign Office

London Road & Afton Drive

(behind the Starbucks)

Tel :519-337-0051

Fax :519-337-3246

cdicocco.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org
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Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Contact OAC Executive Members Susan Fentie (519)466-2288 or Dan Fentie (519)670-4608 for more information

autism@coolgoose.com

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Hamilton


Judy Marsales MPP


1070 Main Street West

Hamilton, On

Time: 10 Am

Contact OAC Member Rosalynn Knecht for more information:

289-396-0773

knecht.r@hotmail.com

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