HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2019.04.18 - 31281MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #19080
BY: Commissioner Kristen Nelson, District #5; Nancy Quarles, District #17; Marcia Gershenson, District
#13; Gwen Markham, District #9; Helaine Zack, District #18, William Miller 111, Commissioner 4; Eileen
, Eileen
Kowall, District #6, Gary McGillivray, District #20; Thomas Kuhn, District #11 TlIn
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DESIGNATION OF APRIL 2, 2019 A R AUTI D
IN OAKLAND COUNTY
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen,
WHEREAS April 2, 2019 is National Autism Awareness Day, promoting acceptance for individuals on the
autism spectrum; and
WHEREAS 1 in 59 children are identified with Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autism is the fastest growing
developmental disability in the United States; and
WHEREAS persons with autism form an incredibly diverse community with vastly different strengths,
limitations, and preferences from individual to individual; and
WHEREAS there are fundamental characteristics associated with autism, including difficulty understanding
social interactions and norms, an intense reliance on routine or sameness, and repetitive behaviors that
manifest themselves differently in each person; and
WHEREAS many individuals on the autism spectrum find certain challenges an insurmountable obstacle
when trying to find or maintain employment on their own; and
WHEREAS a recent study by Drexel University's Autism Institute concluded that only 14 percent of adults
on the autism spectrum had paid employment- and
WHEREAS young adults on the autism spectrLm demonstrate the lowest employment rates among people
with disabilities; and
WHEREAS over 70% of adults with autism want to work but are either unemployed or underemployed; and
WHEREAS individuals on the autism spectrum have amazing strengths and skills that often go untapped
when the proper supports are not in place - which may include superior attention to detail, intense
knowledge on a topic, or good long-term memory; and
WHEREAS hiring individuals with autism goes a long way towards achieving diversity on a worksite
because each person with autism offers a valuable perspective that is unique from those of neurotypical
individuals; and
WHEREAS existing incentives or strategies for businesses to hire persons with autism are currently under-
utilized or unknown; and
WHEREAS modifying hiring practices to accommodate persons with autism, taking advantage of Work
Opportunity Tax Credits, partnering with a non-profit resource provider, and working with a job coach have
all proven to be effective in supporting persons with autism and their employers; and
WHEREAS 59% of individuals on the autism spectrum gained employment after receiving vocational
rehabilitation services', and
WHEREAS the positivity;;and motivation of persons with autism in the face of great adversity is an inspiring
lesson to us all.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Oakland County Board of Commissioners celebrates April 2,
2019 as Autism Awareness Day and encourages all citizens to exercise respect and compassion for our
relatives, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and fellow Americans on the autism spectrum.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners believes it is important to
level the playing field so everyone has a chance at success and encourages businesses and employers to
utilize existing incentives or strategies to assist them in hiring persons with autism.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourages our elected
officials at the local, state, and federal level to adopt policies that promote acceptance and facilitate greater
access to employment for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution,
, Kristen Nelson
ICmm—issioner
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Dis riot #17
Commissioner Gwen Markham
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District #14
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Commissioners Marcia henson
District #1
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Commissioner H nine Zack
District #18
(t6mmi sioner,Eileen Kowall
District #6
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Commissioner Tho as Kuhn
District #11`
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A sufficient majority having Voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and Vote on Miscellaneous
Resolution #19080 — Board of Commissioners — Designation of April 2. 2019 As World Autism Day in
Oakland County corried.
Vote on resolution:
AYES: Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Middleton, Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Spisz, Weipert,
Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Hoffman, Jackson, Kochenderfer, Kuhn. (17)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted.
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
1, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of'a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on April 2, 2019,
with the original record thereof now remaining in my office,
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan this 2r1d day of April, 2019.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County