UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1788
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A RESOLUTION recognizing April 21 as Autism After 21 Day in the 1
Commonwealth of Kentucky. 2
WHEREAS, every 11 minutes a child is born in the United States who will be 3
diagnosed with autism; and 4
WHEREAS, currently, these autistic children will spend the majority of their lives 5
as adults in a world of few opportunities; and 6
WHEREAS, in the next four years, over 200,000 people on the autism spectrum 7
will turn 21, which is the age at which federally mandated services end; and 8
WHEREAS, those autistic adults will join the millions of adults with disabilities 9
who face decades-long waitlists for residential services and little or no opportunity for 10
employment or social interaction; and 11
WHEREAS, some adults on the autism spectrum need little, if any, support, and the 12
General Assembly wishes to encourage their self-determination and independence; and 13
WHEREAS, attention is needed to acknowledge the many adults on the autism 14
spectrum who are navigating adulthood and wanting to reach their full potential; and 15
WHEREAS, autistic adults deserve access to the goals established by the 16
Americans with Disabilities Act, including equal opportunity, full participation, 17
independent living, and economic self-sufficiency; and 18
WHEREAS, Lifeworks at Western Kentucky University is a two-year transition to 19
work autism program for young adults to prepare for employment and independent 20
living; 21
NOW, THEREFORE, 22
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 23
Commonwealth of Kentucky: 24
Section 1. The House of Representatives hereby applauds the efforts of 25
professionals who have dedicated their lives to improving services and supports for those 26
living on the autism spectrum, and recognizes April 21 as Autism After 21 Day in the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 23 RS BR 1788
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Commonwealth of Kentucky. 1
Section 2. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a 2
copy of this Resolution to Mary Lloyd Moore, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, Director, Suzanne 3
Vitale Clinical Education Complex, Western Kentucky University, 104 Alumni Drive, 4
Bowling Green, Kentucky 42101, and to the members of the Kentucky Congressional 5
delegation. 6