WHY MEMBERSHIP IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Current prevalence rates indicate that there are probably more than 60,000 people living with autism in Ontario.  How many of these families does the Autism Ontario represent through its membership? – only 2,000! 

 

With a larger membership, Autism Ontario decisions and recommendations have a wider base of consent, and will make it easier to tell the policymakers what we know to be best practices.

 

Our chapter provides information to over 70 families in the Eastern Ontario region, (south-east of Ottawa and east of Kingston to the Quebec border), yet only 25 are current, paid members.

 

The majority of families live in and around the city of Cornwall and the united counties of Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry; as well as a large number of families living in Leeds-Grenville to the west.  We comprise one of the largest geographic chapter areas in Ontario.  Our community is largely rural in nature and this does present a challenge in offering services and activities.

 

Our chapter is run by families, for families, on a volunteer basis.  We have no paid staff nor do we have an office. Volunteers can work out of their homes.

 

We hope you’ll consider how you can make a difference by supporting the Autism Ontario and the Upper Canada Chapter with your time, talents, experience and membership.

 

Since its inception in January 1999, our the Upper Canada Chapter has

 

-                  increased the public’s awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders,

-                  hosted workshops on such topics as vision development, estate planning, education, and visual communication strategies, autism risk management and safety, as well as the What Now?! Symposium on Raising an Adolescent/Young Adult with an ASD,

-                  donated over 130 autism resources to the Cornwall Public Library,

-                  had SEAC representation on the english public and separate boards of education,

-                  received funding grants to establish a Snoezelen Room in Cornwall,

-                  set up the Special Needs Activity Room at the Ontario Early Years Centre in Cornwall

-                  raised funds to support these programs and activities

Your membership will help develop the resources needed to provide public awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

You will have the opportunity to attend your chapter and provincial Annual General Meetings and participate on issues directly affecting the Organization.

All members receive Autism Ontario’s quarterly magazine “Autism Matters”.

Chapter and provincial news updates, workshops and events are posted to our website at www.autismontario.com/uppercanada and are sent via email to local families and community organizations.

 

Members get discounted prices on chapter workshops, social events and Autism Ontario produced resources.