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.
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
Time: 11:00am to 1:00pm
Contact OAC Executive Member, Sam Yassine for more information:
613-841-3886
Sam_yassine@rogers.com
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
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Contact OAC Executive Member, Sharon Gabison for more information:
647-892-4418
shar.gabison@utoronto.ca
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
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Contact OAC Executive Member, Malcolm Stanley for more information:
416-275-3562
amstanley@rogers.com
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
Time: 10:00 AM
Contact OAC Executive Member, Mary Beth Rocheleau for more information:
519-734-6387
grocheleau6@hotmail.com
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
Time: 10:00AM
Contact OAC Executive Member, Mary Beth Rocheleau for more information:
519-734-6387
grocheleau6@hotmail.com
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
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
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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