Who They Are
Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Bob and Suzanne Wright, grandparents of a child with autism. With initial financial support from Bernie Marcus, who donated $25 million to launch the organization, Autism Speaks quickly established itself as a powerful voice for the autism community.
To create a stronger nationwide presence, the organization strategically merged with three leading autism organizations: the Autism Coalition for Research and Education (ACRE), the National Alliance for Autism Research (NAAR), and Cure Autism Now (CAN).
At its core, Autism Speaks envisions a world where all people with autism can reach their full potential. This vision embraces individuals across the entire spectrum and throughout all stages of life. The organization is deeply committed to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion, recognizing that potential is unique to each individual. Autism Speaks strives to serve everyone with autism and their families by improving representation of this diverse community in their content, expanding the reach of their resources, and increasing inclusive practices in their workplace.
Their DEAI vision emphasizes serving people of all abilities, ages, races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and belief systems. By guiding individuals and families to relevant resources, Autism Speaks helps them overcome obstacles and reach their full potential while addressing biases and disparities that create barriers to success.
What They Do
Autism Speaks is dedicated to creating an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan through five key areas of action. First, they ensure access to reliable information and services across the lifespan, transforming the landscape of data and resources available to the autism community.
The organization supports innovative research that drives toward improved quality of life and well-being for individuals with autism at all life stages. By leveraging their assets through advocacy, partnerships, and collaboration, they support and extend the work of service providers in the field.
A critical focus of their work is accelerating solutions for adult quality of life needs, including transition services, employment opportunities, housing solutions, and health and wellness programs. They actively support rights-based and quality-of-care legislation while collaborating with expert organizations to expand services available to low-resource communities.
Autism Speaks drives inclusion through autism-friendly, community-based initiatives and workplace employment-based designations. They've made extraordinary advancements in increasing global awareness and inclusion, deepening understanding of the breadth and diversity of the autistic community, and protecting the rights of autistic individuals.
Recognizing that their mission requires collaboration, Autism Speaks works with partners, government, and other organizations at local, national, and global levels who share their goals and values—standing together for "a world of difference."
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Photos via Autism Speaks.
