OARacle Newsletter

Happy Autism Acceptance Month! This year, OAR has set some ambitious and actionable goals for promoting autism awareness and acceptance across the country. Here’s how we can work together to make a difference.

Goal 1: Provide informational resources to families of autistic individuals.

OAR’s collection of Life Journey Through Autism guidebooks offers high-quality, research-based information for parents and caregivers navigating autism for the first time. These resources cover essential topics such as the transition to adulthood, the special education system, research, and safety.  

By the end of April, OAR aims to distribute 5,000 Life Journey Through Autism guidebooks to families of autistic individuals.

How you can help: OAR is a national organization, but you are an expert on your local community.

• Please spread the word about these informative resources to people in your network. Help us connect with local support groups, families, schools, organizations, community centers, or others who work directly with families of autistic individuals. The first two hard copies of each resource are free! 
• If you wish to distribute resources yourself, sign up as an autism materials distributor. 
• Order these resources in bulk for your organization or upcoming event. Use the code AUTISM50 to get 50% off your bulk order of family guidebooks until May 1.

Your efforts will help families learn more about autism and be better advocates for autism in their communities. Order free paperback copies of these guidebooks in our online resource store.

Goal 2: Increase autism acceptance and education through our Libby library.

OAR’s Libby library has been curated with over 200 ebooks and audiobooks about autism that users can access for free on their personal devices for leisure or educational reading. The library includes popular novels, autobiographies, guidebooks, clinical texts, kids’ books, and more, covering a wide range of topics that are critical to the autism community. Readers can also access OAR’s published works through the library. By the end of April, OAR aims to reach 500 new readers through our Libby library.

How you can help:

• Create your free Libby account today. Follow the instructions on our website to set up your account and start exploring OAR’s library.
• Share this resource. If you are in a parent support group looking to start a book club, a college autism support program aiming to enlighten students with powerful autobiographies, or a teacher using children’s books to celebrate autism, OAR’s Libby library has everything you need to get started.

For questions, comments, and partnership inquiries, contact programs@researchautism.org. Happy reading!

Goal 3: Support autistic young adults through OAR’s Hire Autism initiative.

Hire Autism, OAR’s employment initiative, supports autistic adults in finding meaningful employment. To achieve this, OAR welcomes autism-friendly employers from across the United States who are committed to hiring diverse talent to partner with Hire Autism. Hire Autism currently has autistic job seekers in 49 states along with employer partners in 43 states. In support of our mission this year, Hire Autism aims to reach all 50 states and assist 48 to 60 job seekers to find employment.

How you can help: Use our services and partner with us.

Job seekers  

• Work with a Hire Autism navigator for free one-on-one virtual job search assistance, including resumes, cover letters, and interview prep.  
• Explore our autism-friendly employers and their job opportunities on the Hire Autism job board, and set job alerts to get notified when new positions are posted. 
• Apply for the Synchrony Tech Scholarship, which supports autistic adults interested in pursuing technology-related courses or training to advance their careers. 
• Download free employment-related resources such as A Guide to Job Searching, A Guide to Resume Writing, and more on Hire Autism’s Resource Center. 

Employers 

• Create an employer account and set up a time to meet with Hire Autism staff. 
• Get featured on the Hire Autism company partners page and social media.  
• Post an unlimited number of job listings for free to our job board.  
• Pursue training opportunities and explore resources on how to best support autistic employees. 

Community members 

• Support our mission and goals by volunteering as a navigator. 

To learn more about how you can get involved or contribute to Hire Autism’s mission, contact the Hire Autism team.

Goal 4: Raise money for OAR’s programs, resources, and new research.

RUN FOR AUTISM is OAR’s signature fundraising program. This year, RUN aims to raise $1,000,000 through 1,000 athletes dedicating their 2025 miles to autism research.  

RUN’s goal for April is to raise $80,000 by the end of the month, enough to fund a new OAR research study and support OAR’s mission to apply research to the challenges of autism.

How you can help:

• Join us for the seventh annual Active for Autism 5k and Kids Dash on Sunday, April 13 in Alexandria, Va., for a fun, family-friendly event. Use the discount code, SAVE10 to save 10% on registration!  
• If you can’t make it in person, join us virtually for the Active for Autism 5k and Kids Dash between April 1 and April 12. Run, walk, cycle, or swim at your own pace from wherever you are. Use the discount code, SAVE10 to save 10% on registration! 
• Sign up and be part of the RUN FOR AUTISM team at one of our signature events or join our DIY program to raise money for autism research at any race.  
• Share these opportunities with someone you know who wants to dedicate their miles to autism research. 

For more information, email the RUN staff at run@researchautism.org.