HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2022.03.24 - 35372etn
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COUNTY MICHIGAN
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 8
March 24,2022
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #22-080
Sponsored By:Kristen Nelson,Robert Hoffman,Adam Kochenderfer,Gary McGillivray,Thomas Kuhn,
Christine Long,Charles Moss,Philip Weipert,Charles Cavell,Yolanda Smith Charles,Janet Jackson,Karen
Joliat,Penny Luebs,Gwen Markham,William Miller III,Eileen Kowall,Angela Powell,David Woodward,
Marcia Gershenson,Michael Spisz,Michael Gingell
IN RE:Board of Commissioners -Board Resolution Designating April 2,2022 as World Autism Day in
Oakland County
Chairperson and Members of the Board:
WHEREAS April 2,2022 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 44 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,andrepetitive behaviors that manifest
themselves differently in each person;and
WHEREAS manyindividuals on the autism spectrum find certain challenges an insurmountable obstacle when
trying to find or maintain employmenton their own;and
WHEREAS youngadults on the autism spectrum demonstrate the lowest employment rates among people with
disabilities;and
WHEREAS over 70%of adults with autism want to work butare 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 becauseeachpersonwithautismoffersavaluableperspectivethatisuniquefromthoseofneurotypicalindividuals;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 accommodatepersons 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 usall.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners celebrates April
2,2022 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 importantto
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 andfacilitate greater
access to employmentfor individuals on the autism spectrum.
Chairperson,the following Commissioners are sponsoring the foregoing Resolution:Kristen Nelson,Robert
Hoffman,Adam Kochenderfer,Gary McGillivray,Thomas Kuhn,Christine Long,Charles Moss,Philip
Weipert,Charles Cavell,Yolanda Smith Charles,Janet Jackson,Karen Joliat,Penny Luebs,Gwen
Markham,William Miller III,Eileen Kowall,Angela Powell,David Woodward,Marcia Gershenson,
Michael Spisz,Michael Gingell.
J Date:March 28,2022
David Woodward,Commissioner“Ded (al
David Coulter,Oakland County Executive
Kw Bayi\Date:March 29,2022
Lisa Brown,County Clerk /Register of Deeds
Date:March 28,2022
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2022-03-15 Legislative Affairs &Government Operations -recommend to Board
2022-03-24 Full Board
VOTE TRACKING
Motioned by Commissioner Penny Luebs seconded by CommissionerKristen Nelson to adopt the attached
Board Resolution:Designating April 2,2022 as World Autism Day in Oakland County.
Yes:Michael Gingell,Michael Spisz,Karen Joliat,Kristen Nelson,Eileen Kowall,Christine Long,Philip
Weipert,Gwen Markham,Angela Powell,Thomas Kuhn,Charles Moss,Marcia Gershenson,William Miller
III,Yolanda Smith Charles,Charles Cavell,Penny Luebs,Janet Jackson,Gary McGillivray,Robert
Hoffman,Adam Kochenderfer (20)
No:None (0)
Abstain:None (0)
Absent:(0)
The Motion Passed.
ATTACHMENTS
None
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I,Lisa Brown,Clerk of the County of Oakland,do hereby certify that the foregoingresolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on March 24,2022,with
the original record thereof now remaining in myoffice.
In Testimony Whereof,I have hereunto set my hand andaffixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac,
Michigan on Thursday,March 24,2022.
/
Lisa Brown,Oakland County Clerk /Register ofDeeds