THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FAMILIES OF ALAW
 The
Board of Directors has a diverse representation of cultural, ethnic,
and occupational backgrounds drawn from residents of the five-county
Greater Philadelphia area, including people with autism. Various ALAW
board members also serve or have served as directors, officers, and
appointed members of the Autism Pilot Workgroup, the Pennsylvania
Department of Health Managed Care Policy Discussion Group for Special
Needs Populations, the Department of Public Welfare Home and Community
Based Services Project, the Planning Advisory Committee of the Office
of Mental Retardation, the Child and Adolescent Service System Program
Advisory Workgroup for Professional Training Curriculum, the Self-Determination
Housing Project, the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Autism Society
of America, Autism Support and Advocacy in Pennsylvania, the Autism
National Committee, Citizen Advocates, Inc., the State Rehabilitation
Advisory Council, the Rosemont District Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Consumer Advisory Committee, the Advisory Committee to the Temple
University Institute on Disabilities, the Pennsylvania Transition
Coordinating Council, and the boards of trustees and parent advisory
councils for various schools for persons with disabilities.
ALAW families and people with autism are involved in the development
and maintenance of personal support plans for long-term supports which
will be flexible enough to include and respond to changes in individual
needs, interests, and preferences. Families will stay involved as
spokespersons and advocates in an open, information-sharing role with
service providers.
Families are also helping adults with autism to form their own households.
Whenever possible, families are contributing toward home purchases.
They are involved with fixing up and furnishing houses, and with ongoing
repairs and maintenance. |
