May 31, 2023, Rockville, MD – The Autism Society of America is thrilled to announce our partnership with Bike to the Beach through the ADD Impact Network. This collaboration will support the Autism Society’s Safety on the Spectrum™ program which will address the need for improved interactions between law enforcement and the Autism community along with water safety and wandering programming. 

ADD Impact Network’s goal is to fund initiatives that leverage partnerships and collaboration to find efficient solutions and improved services for the Autism and disability community. Through this partnership, the two organizations will engage in community event support at Bike to the Beach rides across the county, as well as a direct investment into improved safety outcomes for the Autistic population. The next Bike to the Beach event is on Saturday, July 28th in Washington D.C. Click here to participate or learn more about this event. 

“The Autism Society of America is proud to partner with the Bike to the Beach event to improve safety outcomes for the Autism community by focusing on our first responder training and water safety programs,” said Christopher Banks, president, and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “With dedicated resources, we can continue our curriculum development, outreach, and training programs to keep our community safe.”

Autism Society’s First Responder Training Program

The Autism Society is developing a gold-standard first responder and criminal justice curriculum, training, and certification program. This program will address the need for improved interactions between law enforcement and the Autism community. Leveraging a “train-the-trainer” approach, the Autism Society will impact positive change at a national level, through grassroots efforts and local leadership. Safety on the Spectrum™  will be informed and delivered in person by a training team of first responders, Autistic advocates, parents, social workers, and local community leaders.

Autism Society’s Water Safety and Wandering Program

The Autism Society of America seeks to develop an adaptive aquatics curriculum that aims to support instructors and the Autism community nationwide. This initiative focuses on proactive programming, prevention, and improved responses to wandering incidents; this national effort aims to increase water safety education and training across the Autism community in order to decrease the tragic loss of life caused by water and wandering-related accidents. This program works to not only prevent wandering-related tragedies but to increase water safety skills among Autistic individuals, families, and community members.

Get Involved

“I support this partnership between the Autism Society of America and Bike to the Beach to help keep individuals in the Autism community safe and to expand our impact. Join our upcoming race on Saturday, July 28th in Washington D.C.” said Hector Garcia, Executive Director, ADD Impact Network

To learn more about the Autism Society’s national programs, and ways to get involved, please email info@autism-society.org.

To learn more about Bike to the Beach through the ADD Impact Network, please visit their website here. 

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Autism Society of America

The Autism Society’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. As the nation’s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its approximately 70+ local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. It envisions a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan. During Autism Acceptance Month, the Autism Society has a goal to fundraise $350,000 to expand acceptance in practice for the Autism community. For more information, go to www.autismsociety.org, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Bike to the Beach

In the years between the first Bike to the Beach and when Bike to the Beach became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, the founding members joined the millions of Americans who are on the spectrum and their support networks. Each was inspired to make a difference for the Autism and disability community. Bike to the Beach is a community made up of individuals, cyclists, local organizations, advocates, philanthropists, corporate companies and national partners. Their goal is to support individuals and families with Autism and disabilities. Bike to the Beach focuses on supporting Local Support Services, Research, Advocacy, and Awareness. This is accomplished through partnerships at the local and national level.