The Autism Center at Ontario ARC will offer two presentations about autism spectrum disorders for parents, families and educators at its 3071 County Complex Drive location.
College Success & Autism Spectrum Disorders
Thomas Hamed, college graduate diagnosed with Asperger syndrome Maggi Sullivan, Ontario ARC’s autism coordinator
Saturday, February 25 9 – 11 am
Geared towards families and education professionals, this special presentation will cover what young adults with autism-related diagnoses can expect in a collegiate environment. This round table discussion will include tips and guidance about available resources.
Tools & Tips For Your Child’s New Autism Diagnosis
Cindy Mattoon, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES’ coordinator of special education support services
Saturday, March 3 9:30 – 11:30 am
This workshop will help families dealing with their child’s recent autism diagnosis. Parents will get a broad overview of available supports and tips on how to advocate for their child. In addition, the program will feature a panel of parents, relatives, individuals with autism and educators.
For more information about these presentations or to register, please contact The Autism Center at (585) 919-2125 or theautismcenter@ontarioarc.org. Respite is available upon request. Information is also available on the agency's Facebook page.
Ontario ARC raised more than $30,000 at its annual Holiday Gift Wrapping Booths located at center court and Macy’s in Eastview Mall – a record breaking amount in the booth’s history.
“The booth’s success is strongly rooted in the energy of our volunteers, the commitment of our sponsors and the tremendous support we receive from the community,” says Donna Auria, Ontario ARC’s director of community relations. “Thanks to their encouragement as well as the support we received from Eastview Mall and Macy’s, this year was record breaking.”
All of the proceeds go towards the agency’s newest program, Pet Connections, an innovative, multi-faceted program connecting animals and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario County. Some of the program’s highlights include people receiving animal assisted therapy – also known as “pet therapy” – and learning how to administer this creative form of therapy.
In its quest to keep the community information about the latest supports available to people with developmental disabilities, Ontario ARC has released a schedule of upcoming presentations and seminars. All events will be hosted at its Main Facility within the County Complex in Canandaigua.
In October, the agency will host UNYFEAT Ontario Connections (Oct. 5 at 4:30 p.m.), The Father Factor: Understanding the Special Needs of Fathers (Oct. 21 at 7 p.m.) and Children with Special Needs & Family Life: Taking Care of Everyone's Needs (Oct. 22 at 8:30 p.m.). For November, Ontario ARC has lined up Teens & Sexuality: The What, The Why, The When, The Where and The How (Nov. 8 at 6 p.m. and another meeting of its iUNYFEAT Ontario Connections (Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m.).
More information about these presentations and seminars is available on the agency's Facebook page.
To
morrow, the United Way of Greater Rochester and Ontario County will host ROC the Day, a 24-hour period of onling commuity giving. The website -- roctheday.org -- has listings of more than 500 local, non-profit organizations that visitors can select and make a donation towards their cause.
During the December 8 event, 24 individuals will be given an extra $500 to use towards the charity of their choice. In addition, the Rochester Area Community Fund will give an extra $500 to the organization with the most donors in one of these categories: Arts & Culture, Community Benefit & Economic Development, Human Services or Environment.
Ontario ARC is one of the many organizations participating in ROC the Day. We hope you'll consider making a donation to Ontario ARC and the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities we serve everyday. Make a contribution on December 8 and make a difference in your community!
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| Keith Murphy | Ted Fioraliso | Ultrafab |
NYSARC, Inc. -- the parent organization of Ontario ARC -- has honored the agency's staff and partnerships during its annual state convention.
Canandaigua resident Keith Murphy was honored with NYSARC's 2011 Thomas A. Maul Direct Support Professional Award for the Western Region. This prestigious award recognizes Murphy for demonstrating a high level of performance as his job while displaying a full commitment to improving the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ultrafab -- a manufacturer of weather stripping headquartered in Farmington -- was honored as the 2011 Employer of the Year for the Western Region. The partnership began in the late 1980's after Ontario ARC received a sub-contract for Ultrafab's reel assembly. In 1994, the agency created an on-site work crew at Ultrafab. Currently, there are 25 individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities working at Ultrafab through Ontario ARC.
Ted Fioraliso, a resident of Canandaigua, won first place in the News category of NYSARC's Media Awards. Fioraliso is the Finger Lakes Bureau reporter for Channel 10. The agency nominated Fioraliso for his coverage of The Autism Center at Ontario ARC, which included interviews with Noreen Quinn, senior associate executive director and parent Sarah Russell.
