'Neurodivergent-Friendly Town' Task Force Offers Report

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

Neurodivergent-Friendly Town Task Force Report

At the Town Board Meeting on September 19, the Neurodivergent-Friendly Town Task Force provided an overview of their work and recommendations. Thank you to Wendy Belzberg, Task Force Chair and task force members for their research, outreach, report, and recommendations regarding what specific steps the Town can take to be more inclusive of persons with neurodivergent disabilities including training employees, publicizing resources, and considering special programming for persons with special needs. Their report also recommended the volunteers continue to work on this effort via an independent group with which the Town, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and volunteers will be invited to participate.

With 1 in 36 children diagnosed with autism, the Town Board formed the task force and many residents came forward to share their own experiences of not being able to experience community life because they or their loved one has a neurodivergent disability. These stories underscore why efforts to be more inclusive are so important. The Town Board is proud to support this work and to accept the report’s recommendation to establish Bedford a the first neurodivergent-friendly town in Westchester. In fact, the commitment has already begun with many town employees and elected officials joining the community autism training on October 23rd which has been underwritten by a local business.

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This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.