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Assemblywoman Grace Spencer, autism advocate Michele Adubato and legal disabilities expert Paul Prior are among those who will participate in a panel discussion at Seton Hall Law School in Newark focusing on the best ways to serve urban students with autism.
Sponsored by the law school's Urban Education Law & Policy Initiative, the discussion will be on April 5 at Seton Hall Law School, 1109 Raymond Blvd, Newark, at 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The panel discussion is intended to spark a dialogue about the need to address the challenges of providing appropriate services to children with autism in urban settings, said Michael Poreda, a law student and executive director of the Urban Education Law & Policy Initiative, a student group committed to promoting awareness of, dialogue about, and activism benefitting urban education.
"We feel the panel will help raise local awareness of the legal problems faced by people with autism," Poreda said.
Spencer, whose district includes Newark, has been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. She co- sponsored legislation signed into law last year requiring insurers to cover treatments for autism and other developmental disabilities and was the primary sponsor of legislation, signed into law last earlier this year, prohibiting discrimination against people with autism spectrum disorders.
"It's important that our children who have autism have the opportunity to be the best they can be. Having knowledge of services that are available is the key to their success," Spencer said. "As an advocate, it is my hope that through discussions like this, parents become aware of what is available for children and become aware of their rights to access certain services."
Adubato, the deputy executive director of The North Ward Center and head of its Center for Autism, has more than 20 years experience working with children with autism. Prior to joining The North Ward Center, she was vice principal of New Jersey Regional Day School, a Newark school that serves children with autism spectrum disorders and pervasive developmental delays.
At NJRDS, Adubato developed and administered educational initiatives that helped students with special needs transition from school to adulthood. The transition program was recognized by the State Department of Education as a model program for students with disabilities.
"We have made great strides at addressing the issue of autism in New Jersey," said Adubato, who also serves on the Governor's Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism. "But we need to put more emphasis on providing those same high quality services for urban children and adults with autism spectrum disorders."
Prior is a partner Hinkle, Fingles & Prior, a Lawrenceville law firm that specializes in children and adults with disabilities. As the younger brother of a man with autism, he has a life-long commitment to disability law. His legal work has focused on special education, guardianship, financial entitlements, and access to appropriate services. A substantial part of his practice is devoted to assisting families in estate and trust matters.
"Issues regarding the autism community, particularly in the urban setting, are a growing trend in disability law, and I am honored to return to my alma mater to discuss this important topic," Prior said.
Also on the panel is Suzanne Mack, the longest serving elected member of the Jersey City Board of Education. She began her service in 1996, when she challenged the district administration over the lack of services for special education classified students. After winning, she initiated the first special education committee of the board and was instrumental in formulating an award winning Special Education Parents Advisory Panel which represents each of the 42 schools in the district.
Her son, Kerry Magro, who is on the autism spectrum, is a junior in the Stillman Leadership Development Honors program at Seton Hall University in South Orange.
"Aside from our own Regional Day school, Jersey City piloted its first self contained class for students with Autism in 2000. Between the two programs we know have 31 self contained classes serving a combined 406 students," Mack said. "I'm happy to discuss our progress."
The panel will also feature the voice of a parent advocate. Kim Williams, of Irvington, will discuss her experiences advocating on behalf of her daughter, Tahira, who has autism. Williams was recognized by former Gov. Jon Corzine last year for her work advocating on behalf of other parents of children with special needs.
