REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Proclamation of Autism Acceptance Month
Report
BACKGROUND
Autism Awareness Month originated in 1970. In April 1988, the first presidential proclamation declaring April as Autism Awareness Month was issued.
In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly established April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day, which was initially focused on finding a cure. That first Autism Awareness Day then morphed into a full month, with community members spending April focused on awareness. Over the years, many autistic advocates called on the community to go a step further and move from awareness to acceptance.
The 2025 theme of Autism Acceptance Month, “Celebrate Differences” serves as a reminder to foster inclusivity and connectedness and to renew the commitment to honoring the unique perspectives of autistic people and supporting children with autism and their families so they can reach their full potential.
DISCUSSION
At the April 8, 2025, City Council meeting, the City Council will proclaim the month of April as Autism Acceptance Month.
Francisco Valenzuela, the Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager from the San Andreas Regional Center (SARC) will accept the proclamation.
The San Andreas Regional Center is a community-based, private nonprofit corporation funded by the State of California to serve people with developmental disabilities as required by the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Act. The Lanterman Act is part of California law that sets out the rights and responsibilities of persons with developmental disabilities.
San Andreas Regional Center provides case management and community services for residents of Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties whose intellectual or developmental disabilities cause severe impairments in their daily lives. Regional center services are a voluntary entitlement through the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act, the state of California’s first-of-its-kind civil rights law for such individuals. The Lanterman Act dedicates regional centers to serve individuals with intellectual disability or other similar conditions, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy who require assistance to remain a part of their community. The regional centers also partner with the counties’ offices of education to administer and provide early intervention services for children before their third birthday who have or are at-risk for developmental delays.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Aimee Escobar, Management Analyst, City Manager’s Office
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proclamation of Autism Acceptance Month