The Special Needs Network would like to invite you to our 15th annual Tools for Transformation Autism, Disability Rights, and Social Justice Conference. The Special Needs Network is one of the nation’s leading social justice, autism, and disability rights organizations. Based in Los Angeles, we provide innovative direct service and online programming, focused on supplying aid and resources to hundreds of thousands of families annually. Our mission is to combat the discrimination disenfranchised communities of color face in getting proper care and resources for minority children with developmental disabilities. Founded in 2005, The Special Needs Network was created after our founder Areva Martin, Esq. was met with obstacles in accessing necessary services for her son Marty who was diagnosed with Autism at two years old. The barriers Ms. Martin faced trying to get her son proper care prompted Ms. Martin to create a parent-centered organization with a four-point mission:
1.Reduce the waiting period for families to have their children diagnosed
2. Bring education, resources, and services directly to the community
3. Provide unique learning opportunities for children and young adults with developmental disabilities 4.Forge an action-based coalition of families empowered to self-advocate at all levels of government
Today The Special Needs Network serves as a refuge, where parents of children with disabilities can receive the assistance they deserve, and are entitled to. In these underserved communities we primarily work with young children of color. A recent study showed that these children face a three-year delay in getting an autism diagnosis during their formative years. This diagnosis delay, paired with lack of housing, employment, and transportation, make the work we do at The Special Needs Network a necessity. As all of our programs are free, we are focused on closing the socio-economic gap, and in getting low-income families the care their children require.
This year’s virtual conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The theme—Rise Up: Racism, Coronavirus, and Disability Communities will bring together the nation’s leading scientific, medical, educational, housing, racial justice, and disability rights experts for a timely conversation on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and systemic racism Black and Brown individuals living with autism, mental and behavioral health conditions, and other disabilities face daily.
The Coronavirus pandemic has greatly exacerbated the racial and health inequities that predate its arrival in the United States. A shortage of testing, inadequate tracing, vaccine hesitancy, food insecurity, and the pandemic of racism have converged, causing massive devastation to the Black and Brown disability communities.
This year’s conference will include special remarks from elected officials and influencers, workshops on COVID-19, Vaccine Safety, Distance Learning, Local and National Anti-Racist Policies, and Diversity and Inclusion Equity.