The News in review
Disability Community
Mourns Jim Flaherty
Ottawa, Canada – The disability
community lost a true champion with the
death on April 10th of former Canadian
finance minister Jim Flaherty.
He is best known as the creator of the
registered disability savings plan (RDSP), a
program which allows families in Canada to
open tax-free savings accounts on behalf
of children living with disabilities. The
proceeds are used to fund medical and
daily living expenses, and do not hamper
an individual’s ability to qualify for federal
aid.
Acorns for autism provide
safe haven for children with
autism
Armagh, Northern Ireland – A specially
designed outdoor space has been
developed and created by a group of
parents and is set to open in Armagh to
provide families with children on the
autistic spectrum a safe haven.
A new social enterprise for
individuals with autism
East Belfast – A new social enterprise for
individuals with autism has been set up to
help people gain jobs i the IT sector.
Specialisterne’s aim is to help 50 people
with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
get jobs in the IT sector over the next five
years.
Autism Companion Magazine
aims to help individuals with
autism in Indiana
Hoosier, Indiana, Autism Companion Jane Grimes left her job last summer,
as marketing and enrolment director
for a large autism centre to start her
own
autism
venture.
Autism
Companion, is an autism magazine,
online support community and part
advocacy organisation. Jane has a
daughter who is on the autistic
spectrum.
Woman with autism
allegedly forced to leave
singing group
Southern Alberta, Canada - Stefanie
King, 30 has Asperger’s and loves to
sing and therefore decided to join the
Vox Musica Choir four years ago. The
choir consist of 80 people ranging from
members of the community and
University of Lethbridge students.
Saskatchewan funding
for autism lagging
behind other provinces
Saskatoon, Canada – Saskatche wan
funding for autism is lagging behind
other provinces meaning that some
families are choosing to
move out of province.