What is ICAA?
The International Coalition for Autism and all Abilities (ICAA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit educational advocacy and charitable support organization dedicated to serving people on the Autism Spectrum and with other different abilities.
Why isn’t there a puzzle piece for the ICAA website?
Simply put: our mission is different than most autism specific organizations. The ICAA is about advancing futures and improving lives. The puzzle piece for autism has been used to illustrate a determination to “solve the mystery” of Autism, often by funding research for cures, preventions, or causes. We are a non-research organization here to help people with practical, meaningful supports. The ICAA is a richly diverse organization here to help people with all different abilities, prominently including but not limited to Autism.
Why don’t you use person first language? We are a diverse coalition. Some of us prefer person-first language, some of us do not. In all of our communications, we will use “autism spectrum”, “autistic spectrum”, “with autism”, or “autistic”, just as some people have their own preferences on how to be addressed. We understand that it matters to many people, and we will use all interchangeably. The ICAA President does feel that it is most accurate to use “autistic”, and she asks people to refer to Jim Sinclair’s essay from 1993, entitled “Don’t Mourn For Us“, for further insight.
How can I help ICAA?
Donating to our mission and volunteering will greatly help the ICAA serve our community. You may donate via our secure PayPal button, or mail a donation. You may also contact us regarding special projects and activities, or come out to events. We are a non-profit organization. All of your support ensures we can help more people, make a greater impact for those in need, and facilitate overall positive changes in our society. With very little administrative costs, donations to ICAA are put right back into our communities. Your donations to ICAA are tax deductible.
Our address is: ICAA PO Box 781 St. Peters, MO 63376
Why should someone donate if we already support another organization?
The ICAA is a unique coalition. Our organization includes educated professionals, individuals on the spectrum, parents, providers, attorneys and advocates. Many of us have spent years not only learning and living through personal experience, but studying and researching. We have discovered what is available to help people overcome challenges, and what is missing. In our vision for the ICAA, we all came together to work towards a common mission of filling the gaps for people on the spectrum and with other differences in ability throughout our communities.
We have found that society has not progressed enough to truly include people on the autism spectrum or with other disabilities. ICAA is working to help ensure improved educational tools, accessibility and general support are more readily available. We work to ensure people with disabilities are supported while also advocating for needed changes across all environments in our society.
A significant portion of our population are people on the Autism spectrum, so it is an urgent need to ensure society grows to include people with such differences in more meaningful ways, while also ensuring supports are in place to help all people, with all different abilities are able to reach their fullest potential.
We are dedicated to practical, direct supports and advocacy that help people who are right here, right now.
Our founder’s vision is one of hope, empowerment, and love for all people, with all abilities.
How much of my donation will be contributed to the research for Autism?
The ICAA is a non-research organization. Our focus is to ensure people with disabilities, including autism, are helped right now. This includes access to practical supports such as informational workshops, education supports, supplies and services, advocacy services, and other relevant, useful services. We will also provide grants for safe, proven effective therapies such as Occupational, Speech and Language, Music, Developmental, and Art, therapeutic equipment and supplies needed for people with Autism and different abilities. Accessibility to these needed services, tools and supports is currently a real challenge for many families/individuals with special needs. Most schools are also extremely challenged regarding meeting appropriate needs and services for students with disabilities.
Why do you endorse Project Lifesaver International?
Project Lifesaver International saves lives. We believe in the work Chief Gene Saunders and those he works with have done. We would like to see PLI in every possible community. The technology is the most reliable, and the most cost effective for communities and first responders. Chief Saunders has also explained Project Lifesaver’s program on the ICAA Radio program. Please contact us for more information or visit the Project Lifesaver International website.
How do I get help from ICAA?
Our contact information is:
info@icaaonline.org
You can also send mail to:
PO Box 781
St. peters, MO 63376
The first step is connecting with us. We are here to help.
I do not know anyone with autism or any other disability. Why should I donate to ICAA?
Come volunteer at one of our events! Helping people different than yourself will help you. People on the autism spectrum alone, make up at least 1% of our population. Everyone will know someone on the autism spectrum. People with different abilities are capable of working, going to college, and living independent, productive lives. It is to everyone in our shared society’s benefit to ensure fellow citizens have access to needed services and supports.
Supporting ICAA’s efforts will help ensure education, advocacy and awareness projects are launched so that the general public understands how to communicate, work with, and relate to people with different abilities. Your support will also help people in need access more supports, services and receive donations of therapy, equipment, educational information and supplies.
You really can make a positive difference through simple acts. Our Founder’s vision is to “leave the world better than how we found it”. If each of us takes a little more time to care about humanity in general, this vision can become a reality.
What are Action Alerts and how do I use the Action Alert tab?
We have seen too many cases of civil and human rights violations towards people based on their difference in ability. As part of our work as an organization, we will advocate for the protections and respect for the rights of people with different abilities. Part of our advocacy efforts include the Action Alerts tab.
Posting alerts will ensure the community has information about urgent situations involving people with disabilities. Anyone can submit an alert on the Action Alerts tab.
ICAA will post approved, verified information and alerts to ensure advocates and citizens can organize, get involved and help, however appropriate, for these emergencies. If you have additional information or questions about any action alert, please post it to the alerts tab or send us an e-mail.
Many advocates and concerned citizens have appreciated the action alerts and it really has been a help to people in crisis situations, urgent advocacy matters and organization/awareness endeavors.
We have seen Action Alerts help rapidly by advocates simply sharing the information far and wide through Facebook, Twitter, blast e-mails and physically posting information in their communities. Action Alerts are a fast and easy way to help and get involved. Often it can even save a life or bring a missing person home.
What is the ICAA Radio?
ICAA Radio is a free weekly radio program that we host as an organization. We like to get the word out to the community concerning services, resources and educational information. Occasionally we also have a little fun and many of our listeners have enjoyed the entertaining holiday specials as well as the information and serious news and alerts segments. Within the first few months of the program, we were awarded “featured” status by the BTR network. This is due to the great guests who have taken the time to come on and the large listening audience. ICAA Radio is a great outreach tool and is a big help in resource facilitation. We appreciate the massive response.
Can I be a Guest on ICAA Radio?
If you are interested in appearing as a guest on the radio program, please send us an e-mail with a general bio and what you wish to discuss on the air. Please keep in mind, we get many requests but we do make every effort to get back to e-mails in a timely manner.
How do I nominate someone for the Mind the Gap awards?
If you know of an outstanding educator, Principal, paraprofessional, teachers’ aide, student group, parents’ group, school, or administrator please send us an e-mail with “Mind the Gap Awards” in the subject line. The e-mail to submit nominations is: info@icaaonline.org
Can I choose which project to donate to?
Of course. We are happy to see the public interested and engaged in our efforts.
Our major projects are:
Mind the Gap: dedicated to education; educator appreciation awards, workshops, presentations, advocacy, consultations, annual school supply drive, bullying prevention, school inclusion, and annual autism awareness card campaigns.
Project Hope: free support meet-ups, donations, service and resource facilitation, support groups, workshops, advocacy services; we also sponsor donation drives and special events for residential care facilities, children’s homes, and hospitals as part of Project Hope
Project Safety (A+ Communities) Project Lifesaver efforts, Property consultations, first responder education, focused on accessibility, safety and accommodations for people with disabilities in different environments in the community including employment situations. The main goal is to increase safety and accessibility for all people with all abilities.
Autism education and defense fund: Contact ICAA for more information about the education and defense fund.
Make sure to specify which project you are wanting to assist or sponsor.
As a charity, we depend on your kindness, generosity and volunteerism.
Website Help:
I am having a hard time finding an old post I commented on.
If you are looking for an older post, please scroll down to the bottom of the home page. At the lower left hand corner, you should see the words “older posts”. Please click on the words and scroll through until you see the post you’re looking for.
If you are looking for comments left at the postings, please find the words “older comments” and scroll through.
If you have any more questions about the website, please send us an e-mail at info@icaaonline.org
