Avoid Heartless MTAs!
MTA cancelled popular programs that allow Students With autism Both the stunning Big Apple parents and their children are made in the same way to document the public announcements that will be played throughout the subway system.
Many young people with autism spectrum disorder love the subway and often focus on train and bus, subway maps and train schedules, and conductor announcements.
Non-profit groups, Autism Transport Projectwill work with transit systems across the country to run the program.
However, according to the group, the MTA, which co-hosted with children with autism in 2022 and 2023, declined to participate so far this year last year.
“Thank you for reaching out. Unfortunately, MTA spokesman Amanda Valdes told Jonathan Trichter, founder of the Autism Transport Project, in an email on January 22nd.
There was no explanation.
Trichter responded via email. When they hear this news, there are many tears. So I highly hope that the MTA will rethink it. ”
Parents and children with autism are confused as to why the MTA became a Grinch.
“This is a true slap in the face for children with autism spectrum disorder,” said Brenna Epstein Coles, who was recorded in 2022 and 2023 by her son Morgan. That's beyond me. ”
Morgan, now eight years old, said making an announcement was “a truly amazing experience.”
“When I got it, I was really disappointed. I was really looking forward to doing it again,” Morgan said.
He even said one of his classmates was “crying” when he heard that the MTA had refused to revive the program this year.
Pro-Eliyana Kaiser said her 12-year-old son Leo was “really disappointed.”
“It's ridiculous. It was a comfortable program for the kids,” she said.
“Leo is really into the train. That makes sense to him.”
Andrew Uzi, an 18-year-old Manhattan Community College student who participated in the high school program, was surprised and confused by the purpose of the program.
“I think it's a shame. The kids enjoyed the program. They enjoyed it. You could hear your enthusiasm,” Uzi said.
He said the initiative provided an opportunity for students with autism to show that they are people who have what they say.
“I have autism and I can become my best self just like you,” Uji said.
Parents and children with ASD testify at the MTA hearing to try and persuade Brass to revive the April program, Autism Awareness Month.
The MTA promoted the program in 2023 and 2022 during Autism Awareness Month, hosted a press conference at Fulton Center Street Station and issued a press release.
In 2023, student recorded presentations were made at 11 stations, including Fulton Street, Union Square, Times Square, Penn Station and 34th Avenue/Penn Station.
Shanifah Rieara, chief customer officer at MTA, said at the time, “We would like to thank our children and their families for their efforts in these announcements and hope that they continue to promote and accept curiosity about the transportation system.” I did.
Trichter, founder of the Autism Transport Project, claims that MTA has personal beef with him, as MTA is a Republican activist who is a candidate for state secretary, and that means that the program cancels That's why it was done.
He said it has nothing to do with the autism program and that children should not be punished.
“Two years ago, in 2023, the MTA agreed to do the project under one condition. This was after they first did it in 2022, and who am I at the last minute. One condition for 2023 is “I'm not involved,” Trichter said.
In 2023, Iclodenyc coordinated events with the MTA, not the Trichter or the Autism Transport Project.
“That was it. They agreed to do it only if I wasn't involved,” he said.
“We wanted to continue working with them. [ICLUDEnyc] To meet the requirements of the MTA. But obviously, it wasn't an MTA option this year or last year. ”
The MTA declined to comment.
