Johnstown institute hosts autism awareness & acceptance walk

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — April is recognized as Autism Awareness Month. That’s why more than 400 students and educators visited the Commonwealth Technical Institute at the Hiram G. Andrews Center (CTI at HGAC) in Johnstown on Tuesday.

They participated in the center’s 7th annual Autism Walk and Resource Fair. It’s a celebration of individuals on the autism spectrum and an opportunity for local students to experience the opportunities that the institute offers.

“This is a place to just celebrate anyone who is on the spectrum, whether you are an individual or, you know someone, you have a family member. We’re all technically on the spectrum in some fashion or another, and that’s why it’s called a spectrum. So today is just a day for everyone to get together and celebrate,” Jill Moriconi, Director of CTI at HGAC said.

The HGAC is operated through the Department of Labor & Industry’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and specializes in providing barrier-free education and job-readiness programs to people of all backgrounds and ability levels.

“Everyone deserves an opportunity and opportunities are beautiful things. We want to support families and we want to support people on the spectrum, and we just want to make sure that everybody’s able to dream big dreams about their future and that we’re able to stand them up and support them in every way possible,” Secretary of the PA Department of Labor & Industry, Nancy Walker said.

Fifth teen Pennsylvania schools were represented at the walk and teachers who work with the students believe it’s never too early for them to think about their future.

“My kids are in kindergarten to sixth grade. That’s our classroom and the classes we have here today. Maybe they’re not going to be doing that in the next few years, but it’s nice for them to see that there are opportunities for them in the future. And for the older kids, they’re really getting hands-on experience and ideas of something that they could do moving forward in the very near future,” Kristen Steinly, a Life Skills Teacher at Westmont Hilltop Elementary said.

Moriconi also wants people to know that Autism awareness isn’t only in April.

“I want everyone to know that individuals on the spectrum are talented, valuable individuals who can contribute to our community, to our workplaces. And that the center here provides the support to help them and really anyone,” Moriconi said.

For more information abut CTI, visit their website.