ICare4Autism Speaks at UN on Urgency and Hope for Autism
NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Sep 14, 2012) - ICare4Autism was invited to the United Nations Convention to address the Rights of People with disabilities. "ICare4Autism's International Conference in Jerusalem in August made a big impact on everyone by giving them a great deal of hope and opening a dialogue that has begun to move forward," said Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief Advocacy and Special Events at the UN in his opening remarks as moderator.
Dr. Joshua Weinstein, Founder and CEO of ICare4Autism, presented a global perspective on ICare4Autism's mission and reported on the Global Autism Center to open in 2015. A critical element of his discussion was the Autism Workforce Initiative which will focus on providing employment and vocational services to those on the autism spectrum. A pilot program is to start in New York and Jerusalem to be replicated worldwide.
Dr. Stephen Shore, who is autistic, Professor at Adelphi University, gave a touching description of his own personal struggles and how to promote successful employment for those with autism. As a member of the ICare4Autism advisory council, he will lead the workforce initiative.
Dr. Eric Hollander, Director of the Autism and Obsessive Compulsive Spectrum Program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore and Chair of the ICare4Autism Advisory Council, reported on the Research Highlights from the recently concluded ICare4Autism International Autism Conference.
Dr. Beth Diviney, member of the ICare4Autism Advisory Council, outlined the global state-of-the-art database system International Computer Analysis Program (ICAP). It will be the largest international database to facilitate collaboration and will disseminate information for educational and medical researchers, practitioners, policy makers, families and autistics.
This international event was in conjunction with the Mission of Israel to the United Nations. Those attending included heads of disability organizations, autistics, persons with other disabilities as well as delegates and leaders from countries such as Monaco, Pakistan, Senegal, Spain, and Moldova who spoke about their need to collaborate with ICare4Autism. Dr. Weinstein indicated his intentions to assist each and every one. One audience member indicated that people with developmental disabilities will outlive pediatric care so it is important and urgent for medical professionals to specialize in treating adults with developmental disability. An autistic woman in the audience said, "Just because I cannot speak doesn't mean I don't have something to say." ICare4Autism is listening and taking on the challenge of promoting and fulfilling productive lives for people with autism worldwide.
