Globalizing Autism Advocacy: My Upcoming Work in India as a Skilled Volunteer

November 6, 2017

By Stephanie Keyser, M.A., BCBA, COBA

My vision is simple: Promote the acceptance, education, and autonomy of individuals who may need support advocating for these rights on their own.

I am lucky be provided with the opportunity to live this mission daily through my work at Bridgeway Academy, and am thrilled to soon be able to extend that support on a global level, as a SkillCorps volunteer through the Global Autism Project! The mission of the Global Autism Project is to promote the acceptance and integration of individuals with autism worldwide, by training local communities in culturally-relevant, sustainable practices.

This February, along with other skilled volunteers, I will be traveling to Chandigarh, India, to train teachers in the use of evidence-based practices, in order to support the educational needs of students with autism. Together with the teachers and staff at SOREM (an educational center for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities), the SkillCorps volunteers will help to create sustainable programming, which will be used to support students long after the team departs.

I am continually humbled by my work and experiences with families in the Columbus community, and am reminded daily of the capacity all children have for learning – especially when provided with the appropriate support. I am so excited for the opportunity to support, connect with, and learn from the local community in Chandigarh, and to further expand my cultural reach through this experience.

I look forward to sharing my journey with you! 

If you’d like to learn more about how you can support Stephanie’s work with the Global Autism Project, click here.