Advancing the Future for Adults with Autism: National Town Hall Meeting (United States)

Submitted by Mary Sullivan on Sat, 12/31/2011 - 09:00

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Summary

Advancing the Future for Adults with Autism is an organization that works closely with America Speaks to better the lives of adults with autism. In 2009 AFFA held a National Town Hall Meeting to create a national policy agenda which AFFA plans to propose to Congress.

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Problems and Purpose-

Advancing the Future for Adults with Autism (AFFA) is an organization that has been working towards a common goal of providing a more optimistic and futuristic outlook for adults with autism. AFAA’s purpose was to construct and come up with strategies that would help adults with autism have a better future and have the same opportunities as others. AFFA held a 21st Century National Town Hall Meeting in 2010 in Chicago in effort to create, and strategize a plan that would propose a national agenda to Congress in Washington D.C.

History

“In the past decade, estimates of the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders have increased from 2 to 5 cases per 10, 000 individuals to 1 in 150” (AFFA). The Growing issue today is those living with autism that transition from childhood to adulthood are not provided with opportunities that others are granted. Our society today, makes it very difficult for adults with autism to live a regular life due to the inadequate resources and services provided for them. Due to the current economic situation, non- profit organizations or agencies are unable to fund, and provide resources to help out specific organizations such as AFFA, and America Speaks. AFFA created three main initiatives on how to achieve their goals in providing a better future for adults with autism. The three steps included creating a Think Tank, holding a 21st Century National Town Hall Meeting, and creating an Autism Congress. The Think Tank was held in New York in January 2009. This preceded the 21st Century Town Hall Meeting. The three concentrated areas that the Think Tank and the National Town Hall Meeting focused on was; housing, employment, and community integration.

Participant Selection

The 21st Century National Town Hall Meeting was constructed on November 13, 2009 in Chicago. AFFA constructed an open invitation to participate in this National Town Hall Meeting in hopes of attracting a large group diverse of individuals all concerned with the issues adults with autism face. The national discussion was held in a hub in Chicago, as well as via webcast through 15 live satellite sites. 1,200 participants were involved in this Town Hall Meeting. 400 participants in Chicago, 790 dispersed across the 15 satellites. Participants were broken into small groups, which consisted of 8-9 individuals at each table. For those individuals who could not attend this Town Hall Meeting in Chicago, webcasts, online chats, keypad polling conversations and discussions were formed via conference calls.

Demographics of Participant are as Followed :

Age of Participants: Percentage:

- Under 20 years 1 %

20- 34 years 17%

35-44 years 19%

45- 54 years 36%

55-64 years 22%

65 or better 5%

Race / Ethnicity: Percentage:

Asian American 2%

Black/ African- American 6%

Latino 6%

Native American / Indian 0%

White/ Caucasian 83%

Other 3%

Household Income: Percentage:

Less than $20,000 5%

$20,000- 39,999 10%

$40,000- 59,000 11%

$60,000- 74,999 16%

Over $75,000 16%

Other 7%

Deliberation, Decisions, and Public Interaction-

All participants were to discuss and focus on four main topics; crosscutting issues, housing, employment, and community integration. After the participants discussed these topics, the small groups ideas and suggestions were formulated on a laptop and sent to a “ Theme Team.” Afterwards, “The Theme Team” collected all of the information from the small groups as well as those participants on the satellite sites and shared the overall messages, themes, and opinions to everyone. The participants proceeded to vote on their wireless voting devices on the specific themes that the “Theme Team” gathered and accumulated.

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects - At the end of this one day Town Hall Meeting, eight strategies were created and agreed upon by the 1,200 participants. Some of the eight strategies that were prioritized included fund raising, providing more staff and helpers, more housing opportunities, an increase in employment rates for those with autism, and a more integrated community life for them as well. The 21st Century Town Hall Meeting proved to be successful in completing their goal of creating a national consortium and a policy agenda. Their next step was to propose and discuss this agenda with Congress in Washington D.C in July 15 2010.

Analysis and Criticism

Critics of the Town Hall Meeting argue that it has certain flaws. Some limitations include that participants might have trouble navigating their audio devices, or keypads used for polling. If technologies such as online chats, or webcasts fail to operate, some participants may not be able to get their view across, or submit their opinions to the polls in time. The conversations held live on webcasts might be difficult for those participants who are hard of hearing which might enable them to engage in or share their opinions on certain topics.

Secondary Sources-

1. Anderson, Connie. "National Town Hall Meeting Focuses on Adults on the Autism Spectrum." IAN Community. Kennedy Krieger Institute, 23 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://www.iancommunity.org/cs/adults/national_town_hall_on_adults_with_asd>.

2. "National Town Hall." National Town Hall Meeting Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism. America Speaks, 13 Nov. 2009. Web. 11 Dec. 2011. <http://www.afaa-us.org/atf/cf/%7B3A65C524-1EB0-4098-97F5-88AB429252C6%7D/Preliminary%20Report%20AFAA%20final.pdf>.