Local Congressman Eliot Engel And Easter Seals New York Work Together To Help Individuals With Autism And Other Special Needs In Our Community

Main Category: Autism
Article Date: 14 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

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Easter Seals New York, the leading provider of autism services nationally, honored Congressional expert on autism and disabilities, Representative Eliot Engel, last night at the 2009 Easter Seals New York Annual Meeting in Westchester, New York. Congressman Engel's tremendous track record of supporting children with disabilities was recognized by Easter Seals New York on behalf of those who receive disability services in our community.

Through his tireless efforts, Congressman Engel has introduced numerous bills to help individuals in his constituency and beyond cope with the struggles of living with special needs. The Congressman's work on behalf of individuals living with disabilities spans back to the American Disabilities Act and has most recently been noted because of his sponsorship of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, Expanding the Promise for Individuals with Autism Act of 2007 and his latest bill, the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act of 2009.

Although those living with disabilities can depend on Easter Seals New York for support through services, they need a voice like Congressman Engel's to garner support on a government level. Joseph DiChiara, Chairman of the Hudson Valley Regional Board of Directors for Easter Seals New York said, "Easter Seals New York and those we serve are grateful to have a champion for people with special needs right here in our own district."

As a former teacher, Congressman Engel is better able to understand and articulate the challenges that individuals and families living with autism and special needs face on a daily basis and makes getting to know these constituents a top priority. Kara Conroy, Regional Director of Easter Seals New York said, "Rarely do legislators have the acute level of knowledge on the issues people in our community face. This makes Congressman Engel a great local leader and advocate for children with autism and other disabilities."

In 2005, Congressman Engel joined Dylan, a student at Easter Seals New York's Port Jervis Child Development Center, to protest proposed cuts in Medicaid on the steps of City Hall in downtown Manhattan. Congressman Engel and Dylan successfully raised awareness of the importance of Medicaid for those living with disabilities. Last night, Dylan, who has since graduated from the Easter Seals New York School, reunited with Congressman Engel for the first time since their memorable meeting in 2005. Dylan presented the Congressman with the Easter Seals New York 2009 Voluntary Leadership Award on behalf of the organization and the thousands of individuals living with disabilities in our community.

Easter Seals is the leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs. For more than 85 years, we have been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them. Through therapy, training, education and support services, Easter Seals creates life-changing solutions so that people with disabilities can live, learn, work and play in their communities.

Source: Easter Seals New York