The Autism Friendly Directory (AFD) is growing! There are currently 24 members on the directory and several who are steps away from being added and certified as “Autism Friendly.”
The 411 about the AFD…
What: The AFD is a community resource for families living with autism. The AFD provides a list of businesses and organizations that provide services and resources whom have earned the Giant Steps Certification as an Autism Friendly establishment.
Who: Members of the AFD are local community businesses and organizations that are partnering with Giant Steps to offer our Giant Steps’ families resources, tips and strategies that will help support their family living with autism.
Where: Please go to https://afd.mygiantsteps.org/ and click on “search” to find out who is currently on the AFD. Please note, this is a work in progress and forever growing. If you are a business or organization interested in becoming a member of the AFD or if you know of any business or organization that would be interested in becoming a member of the AFD, please contact Lindsey Nichols @ lnichols@mygiantsteps.org
When: The AFD is a work in progress and will continue to grow with certified members.
Why: There is a great need for this type of directory.
A parent shared with us the challenges to getting out with their child living with autism:
“We feel like prisoners in our own home. We can’t go anywhere because we don’t feel welcome, and no one seems to understand how to support my son with autism.”
– Giant Steps’ Parent
How: For businesses and organizations that want to become a part of the AFD, it is EASY and it is FREE. Visit http://train.mygiantsteps.org/login and click on create an account. From here, they will have access to a few short videos that inform and educate them on the basics of autism. After 60% of the staff of the business or organization completes the videos, then they will be added to the AFD and become Giant Steps Certified Autism Friendly Community Partner.
For more information about the AFD, please click on the link below for the AFD brochure! Also, if you know of a business or organization that would be fitting for the AFD, please contact myself, Lindsey Nichols by email at lnichols@mygiantsteps.org or by phone at 630-864-3825.