In response to funding changes to the Ontario Autism Program by the Ford government, a rally is set for tomorrow in downtown North Bay.
A group known as the Autism Avengers of Nipissing plans to rally for properly funded needs-based services for children and youth in the autism community.
The rally will run from noon until 1:00pm in front of Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli’s office on Main Street East.
Organizers say the purpose of the rally is to “provide the public a clear understanding of the reality that families with Autism are facing as a result of the government implemented changes. These funding cuts will leave families short of the necessary [funds] required to receive effective service.”
The group maintains, “While the dollar figures proposed by the PC government may sound high, they are actually much lower than what was previously provided and are needed for each child due to imposed age, income and yearly caps.”
About the Ontario Autism Program:
The Ontario Autism Program provides therapy that is based on the science of Applied Behaviour Analysis to children and youth on the Autism Spectrum. Therapy targets unique goals for each child by teaching skills while reducing behaviour that can impede learning and development. Achieving these goals is what has historically helped to bring them to their current successes in school, in community programs, with their families and with their friends. The Ontario Autism Program continues to see great success which is measured on an individual basis using scientific evidence-based methods.
