More and more New Jersey municipalities are rising to the occasion to help the 242,000 New Jerseyans with autism. Whether you’re a mayor, town council member, or other individual in local government, we’re here to support you.
Autism-Friendly Municipalities Checklist
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Municipal Staff Training on Autism
Provide autism sensitivity training to all employees & volunteers -
Autism Acceptance Month (April) Issue a proclamation and provide information on municipal website and social platforms
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Autistic Perspectives
Identify a municipal autism champion (i.e., someone who is autistic or has a deep connection to autism) to look at ordinances and provide perspective from the autism community -
Law Enforcement
Share information about Autism New Jersey’s Autism-Friendly Law Enforcement Practices publication, the Blue Envelope Program and the state law allowing an autism notation on driver’s licenses and non-driver state identification cards -
800.4.AUTISM Helpline Promotion
Include the helpline on municipal websites and social platforms so people know where to turn -
Sports and Recreation Programs
Offer a full range of adaptive sports and recreation programs for kids and adults with developmental disabilities
Looking for support for your residents? Keep scrolling!
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We’re here to support you and your residents!
Our 800.4.AUTISM Helpline staff connects individuals and their caregivers to reliable resources for autism diagnosis, treatment, education and more. We help government leaders create autism-friendly laws, and we inform healthcare providers, law enforcement officers and other professionals about autism best practices. Through our awareness and engagement efforts, we work to create communities where people with autism are accepted and thrive.
We partner with law enforcement
Autism New Jersey already has great partnerships with local police departments across the state through our Law Enforcement Initiative. And so many have adopted autism-friendly practices to help foster positive and safe interactions between police officers and individuals with autism. Those practices include voluntary special needs registries, mock pullovers, locative technology, and the Blue Envelope program. Feel free to check out our resources and share with your town’s law enforcement leadership.
Statewide Impact
In just two years, Autism New Jersey’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee and Director Doreen Yanik have laid the foundation and driven so much change happening in communities statewide.
Unmatched Commitment
Autism New Jersey is simply an excellent, caring, and empathetic organization. The leadership is second to none.