Joshua’s Journey

Cordially invites You to Attend

Moonlight Masquerade

Dinner Cruise

Aboard the Nautical Empress

To benefit Autism United

Departing from Freeport, New York, 6:30 pm, Thursday, September 3, 2009

Arrive 30 minutes early to board.

The Nautical Empress departs from 395 Woodcleft Avenue on

Freeport’s famous Nautical Mile

Seats reserved on a first-come first-served basis

$75 per person

Guest will enjoy a delicious dinner, open bar, DJ and dancing

Chances for Fabulous Raffles will be sold

Sponsorship Opportunities 

Journal Sponsor

¼ page, $45, ½ page, $80, Full Page, $150

Silver Sponsor, $350, Includes two Dinner Cruise Tickets, Silver Sponsor

Full Page Ad in the event journal and placement on our sponsorship board 

Gold Sponsor, $400, Includes two Dinner Cruise Tickets, Gold Sponsor

Full Page Ad in the event journal and placement on our sponsorship board

For more information contact Deirdre Wangel at (516) 902-5496, or

Mail responses to Joshua’s Journey, 90 Woods Street, Lynbrook, NY 11563.

Deep Cuts Proposed for Special Education, Early Intervention and Autism Services, Your Action is Needed Now!

Governor David Paterson has proposed sweeping cuts to early intervention and special education as a way to address the current budget shortfall. The scope of the propsed changes are sweeping, and would eliminate most of the objective minimum standards of services that school districts and counties must meet, and replace them with programming provided at the discretion of schools districts.

Much of the proposed changes were thoroughly described in the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief chaired by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, The Commission began its work well before the financial meltdown that began in the fall of 2008, indicating that the changes proposed below are policy preferences independent of the current financial situation. See the article below to read the text of the Special Education section of the report.

Autism United is working in conjunction with other organizations to form a statewide coalition to prevent the cuts. People with autism and other disabilities need a statewide voice to assure that the budget isn’t balanced by sacrificing the neediest among us.

Here are some of the worst proposals the Governor has called for:

Autism Epidemic Day: Advocacy in Albany, Tuesday, March 24

New Yorkers, come to the first ever autism lobbying day in Albany on Tuesday, March 24th. If we don't speak up we can't be heard.

Special Education Section of the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief

The following is the special education section of the report by the New York State Commission on Property Tax Relief (The Suozzi Commission Report). The full report may be downloaded from the following link:

 http://www.cptr.state.ny.us/reports/CPTRFinalReport_20081201.pdf

Special Education

New York State’s Social Compact – When discussing special education it is important to emphasize, especially during these difficult fiscal times, that New York State has always had, and continues to have, a deep commitment to the social compact that demands that we care for those most in need. The Commission can be successful in its mission to reduce expenses, especially those that relate to special education, only if it presents a roadmap that not only achieves cost savings, but also improves services and outcomes for students and their families.