OCALI honored Mike Maloney, OAR’s former executive director, with the Jon Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award at OCALICON, its premiere autism and disabilities conference, on November 17, 2023. Mike Maloney served as OAR’s executive director from OAR’s founding in 2001 to December 2022. During his 21-year tenure, OAR funded over 308 research grants totaling more than…
2023 was a record-breaking year for the RUN FOR AUTISM program. Thanks to the fundraising efforts and hard-earned miles of 942 runners, walkers, and triathletes, the RUN FOR AUTISM team raised more than $1,060,000, a new OAR fundraising record marking the first time the program has raised over one million dollars. That achievement is even…
The application period for the 2024 OAR Scholarship Program opened on Monday, December 4, 2023, and remains open until Monday, April 22, 2024. Applicants may apply to only one of OAR’s scholarships, which include the Schwallie Family Scholarship, the Lisa Higgins Hussman Scholarship, and the Synchrony Scholarship for Autistic Students of Color. Each program offers…
The major charity-rating website, GreatNonprofits, has recognized OAR as a “top-rated” nonprofit organization for the 14th year in a row. GreatNonprofits provides a platform for community members to share testimonials about the impact of nonprofit organizations. OAR’s recognition is based on reviews by OAR friends, volunteers, and community partners who provided overwhelmingly positive feedback during this year’s…
OAR has created a way for those who love to stream to combine their favorite creative pursuit with their support for OAR. Through Stream for Autism, you can use your love of gaming, crafting, cooking, music, or another activity to raise awareness and raise funds for OAR. Stream for Autism provides the platform. You provide…
OAR has increased the maximum award for its Applied Research Competition from $40,000 to $50,000. The 2024 Competition will open December 15 for researchers to submit a letter of intent for pilot studies beginning in 2025 with a duration of one to two years. International researchers are eligible to apply. Letters of intent will be…
With 2023 coming to a close, we are reflecting on OAR’s impact over this year. As we prepare to close out another year, we look back on OAR’s impact on the autism community. From the Life Journey Through Autism Series and programs like the Kit for Kids and siblings’ resources to applied research grants, we’ve…
The new Hire Autism navigators and ambassadors will join their fellow volunteers to help Hire Autism improve employment opportunities for autistic individuals and assist businesses to create more inclusive workplaces. Navigators work one-on-one with Hire Autism job seekers, mentoring and equipping them with the tools necessary to prepare for the job search and meet their…
Hillsborough Township became the first school district in New Jersey to roll out OAR’s Kit for Kids program in elementary school classrooms. The Kit for Kids is OAR’s peer education initiative for teaching elementary and middle school students about their autistic peers and promoting acceptance of autistic students in the classroom. The Hillsborough Township Board…
OAR’s fall 2023 webinar series, Autism in the Workplace, focused on practical strategies, tools, and accommodations for supporting autistic employees. If you weren’t able to make it to the live events, you can access the archived webinars on OAR’s website: Autism, Disclosure, and Workplace Accommodations: Melanie Whetzel from the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) discussed workplace…
