HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2021.03.25 - 34251MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #21092 March 25. 2021
BY: Commissioner Kristen Nelson, District #5, Bob Hoffman, District #2; Adam Kochenderfer, District
#15;Thomas Kuhn, District #11; Christine Long, District #7; Gary McGillivray, District #20; Chuck Moss,
District #12; Philip Weipert, District #8; Charlie Cavell, District #18; Yolanda Charles, District #17; Janet
Jackson, District #21; Karen Joliat, District #4; Penny Luebs, District #16; Gwen Markham, District #9;
William Miller, District #14; Angela Powell, District #10; David Woodward, District #19; Michael Spisz,
District #3; Michael Gingell, District #1; Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, District #13
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DESIGNATION OF APRIL 2, 2021 AS WORLD AUTISM DAY
IN OAKLAND COUNTY
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS April 2, 2021, is World Autism Awareness Day, promoting acceptance for individuals on the
autism spectrum; and
WHEREAS according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 54 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 young adults on the autism spectrum 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 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 the Oakland County Board of Commissioners celebrates April
2, 2021, as World 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 the 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.
Y
Commissioner Kristen Nelson Commissioner ob
District #5 District #2
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Commissioner Eileen Kowall
Gidgell
Charlie Cavell
Commissioner Wrcia Gershenson
District #13
Commis ' er Penny bs
Dis t IA"W
Commissioner Adam Koche5grfer
D' trict #15
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6c6missioner Christine Long U
District #7
Commissioner Moss
District #12
Comr�i loner M' h I Spi �
Di c}t 77 J
Commissioner David T. Woodward
District #19
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Commissioner Gwen Markham
Distric #9
Com issioner K�#n Joliat
District #4
Commissioner William Miller
Distric, #14
missioner Yolanda Charles
isMuioner
Co net Jat kson
District'#21
Commissioner Thomas E. Kuhn
pis ict #11
Cmissioner`Gar cGiIIivra
Di rlct #2
Commissioner Angela PowelT—
Di ¢t #10
Commissi Philip J. Weipert
District #8
Commissioner
District #
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE VOTE:
Motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
Resolution #21092 March 25, 2021
Moved by Weipert seconded by Luebs the resolutions on the amended Consent Agenda be adopted.
AYES: Charles, Gershenson, Gingell, Hoffman, Jackson, Joliat, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Kuhn,
Long, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Miller, Moss, Nelson, Powell, Spisz, Weipert, Woodward,
Cavell. (21)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolutions on the amended Consent Agenda were adopted.
C S� i
I HEREBY APPROVE TH
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, 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 March 25, 2021,
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 251h day of March 2021.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County