News and Knowledge

Earlier this year, OAR laid out a set of ambitious goals to continue engaging community members in celebration of April’s Autism Acceptance Month. We worked with teachers, parents, clinicians, autistic individuals, employers, and researchers to support their local initiatives and increase autism acceptance. This recap describes what we accomplished in partnership with community supporters like you.  

GOAL 1: REACH 5,000 CHILDREN WITH THE KIT FOR KIDS.

Since 2012, OAR has taught more than 150,000 students in grades K-8 about autism. With this goal, we hoped to expand that number to additional 5,000 students, using the Kit for Kids and Autism Tuned In peer education programs teach them how to understand and learn to be good friends with their autistic classmates. 

Results: Between January and April, OAR surpassed its goal by reaching 11,440 students, bringing the total number of students impacted by the Kit for Kids to over 160,000. 

GOAL 2: DISTRIBUTE 15,000 INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES TO FAMILIES, EDUCATORS, PROFESSIONALS, AND AUTISTIC INDIVIDUALS.

OAR’s informational resources include tools, lessons, and advice on how to help autistic individuals be welcomed, safe, and accepted in their communities. These resources are provided at little to no cost to autistic individuals, families, schools, nonprofit organizations, and police and fire stations. 

Results: Between January and April, OAR disseminated over 21,000 guides through our online store and digital downloads. Those resources are available on OAR’s website year-round for all those who can benefit from their information and guidance. 

GOAL 3: REGISTER 120 NEW JOBSEEKERS ON HIREAUTISM.ORG, RECRUIT 25 NEW NAVIGATORS, AND 25 NEW EMPLOYER PARTNERS.

Since 2017, Hire Autism has directly supported more than 460 autistic job seekers as they pursue employment.  

Results: During the months of March and April, Hire Autism registered 209 new job seekers, recruited 25 volunteer navigators, and engaged 23 employer partners. 

Additionally, we launched the new Hire Autism website in celebration of International Autism Awareness Day. If you want to turn awareness and acceptance into action, get involved as a navigator or regional ambassador. 

GOAL 4: RAISE $100,000 AND REGISTER AT LEAST 500 ATHLETES TO DEDICATE THEIR 2022 MILES TO AUTISM RESEARCH.

Through OAR’s signature charity fundraiser program, RUN FOR AUTISM, we raise funds to sustain our community outreach efforts and support applied autism research that aims to help autistic individuals and their families improve their quality of life. 

Results: RUN FOR AUTISM surpassed its goal by raising $142,894.49 and engaging a total of 695 athletes during the month of April. The funds raised will go towards OAR’s mission to apply research to the challenges of autism. 

LOOKING AHEAD 

The successes we experienced through our April Acceptance Campaign efforts reveal the strength of the autism community and the dedication of OAR’s supporters. We once again thank our fantastic OAR community for all the work you do to increase autism acceptance year-round! 

If you are looking to stay involved in any of the above initiatives, contact OAR at 703-243-9710 or oar@researchautism.org. If you like what OAR does, then share your feedback on the GreatNonprofits website.