Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the United States. 1 in 68 children will be diagnosed with ASD and over 3.5 million Americans live with ASD. With numbers this high, ASD is likely to affect each and every one of us. 

www.autismfriendlybusiness.com

Getting out into the community can be a struggle for those on the spectrum and their families.  The Autism Friendly Business Initiative (AFBI) has been created to educate community businesses about ASD and prepare them to provide compassionate customer service.  Many individuals with autism and their families struggle to get out of the house.  Grocery shopping, going out to eat, and getting a hair cut can be challenging and when families do not feel supported in their efforts, many choose to stay home.  Our hope is that when the community is more welcoming, individuals with ASD and their families will be more willing to enjoy our great city and businesses will access more customers. Participating businesses will receive a window decal advertising their involvement with AFBI as well as advertisement on the website and other social media outlets.  Parents and individuals with ASD will be able to identify participating businesses within a particular industry (i.e., restaurants, entertainment).

FEAT (Families for Effective Autism Treatment) of Louisville, University of Louisville Autism Center, Kentucky Autism Training Center, and Meaningful Day Services together with a collaborative working group, called the Autism Friendly Community, have created a 3-part plan to open the community to individuals with autism and their families.

Level one is extremely easy. Agreeing to have at least 80% of staff watch a 10-minute online video will add a business to the growing list of Autism Friendly Businesses in our community. We don’t want businesses to become therapists, but rather return to the simple rules of compassionate customer service for all.  After that, we would like for the business to make this training part of their new employee training packet so that all new employees have training in the provision of compassionate customer service. An AFBI representative will follow up at least once a year to see how things are going and offer additional support if needed.

For businesses willing to go a bit further, level two asks that accommodations or modifications be made available to individuals on the spectrum and their families. AFBI will provide industry-specific recommendations that would qualify for level 2 enrollments.  For example, AFBI will ask businesses to take specific pictures of their setting.   These pictures can be made available to parents to prepare their child for the expectations of that location.  A little bit of preparation can make the world of difference for a family!

Level three participation involves businesses reviewing their hiring structures to see if any alterations could be made to get a more complete picture of the skill-set of the candidate with ASD. Many individuals with ASD have extraordinary skills that may not be obvious during a face-to-face interview.  AFBI would like to help businesses ensure that their hiring practices are allowing them to get the right person for the job!

We believe these three simple steps can transform Louisville into a compassionate, autism friendly city. If you are part of a business interested in becoming autism friendly, contact us today…it only takes 10 minutes to make a difference. For more questions go to www.autismfriendlybusiness.com or call us at 502-596-1258.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists of the temporary closure of KY 1865 (New Cut Road) in Jefferson County. KYTC has granted a permit to CSX Railroad for closing this road due to crossing repairs.

New Cut Road will be closed for repairs the following weeks:

• Outer Loop (near Old Third Street Rd.) - 7:00pm April 21 - April 24

The date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Visit goky.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5 .

Dr. Kristina Zierold, an associate professor at the University of Louisville School of Public Health and Information Sciences, is conducting a research study funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) entitled "Coal ash exposure and neurobehavioral performance and symptoms in children aged 6-14 years old."

This study is very important for Louisville community members because coal ash storage sites (landfills and ponds) and releases from the power plant stacks are concerns in neighborhoods surrounding LG&E’s Cane Run and Mill Creek Power Plants. Since 2012, Dr. Zierold has been working with the community to study coal ash and health, and many people have complained about coal ash exposure and the possible effects on the health of their children and families. 

We are recruiting over 300 children in Louisville for this study. Learn more details on the study webpage here.

Who can participate? People who have a child 6-14 years old and live in the following zip codes: 40109, 40118, 40177, 40211, 40214, 40215, 40216, 40258, 40272

What will you be asked to do?

• Allow small air pollution sampling equipment in your home
• Allow your child to take a series of computer tests  
• Collect your child’s fingernail and toenail clippings
  
• Fill out questionnaires
• We come to your home, no trips to UofL needed

For participating, you will receive a $100 Visa gift card and yourchild will receive a $25 Visa gift card.

We are recruiting over 300 children in Louisville for this study. Learn more details on the study webpage here.  

ADOPT a DUCK. WIN a TRUCK. CHANGE a LIFE.

Join Harbor House for the 14th Annual Ken-Ducky Derby on Saturday, April 29th, 2017 from 4pm-8pm as they drop 30,000 rubber ducks into the Ohio River! The Duck Drop will be at 7pm. Cheer your duck to victory as they race to the finish line!

ONE lucky duck will win a BRAND NEW FORD F150 TRUCK provided by Swope Family of Dealerships. 2nd and 3rd place ducks will walk away with cash prizes. And every duck in the race has the chance to win ONE MILLION DOLLARS.

The best part, is that your duck purchase benefits individuals with disabilities at Harbor House of Louisville. Harbor House is a local, nonprofit, charity that lights the way for adults with physical and cognitive disabilities. It is a day program where the participants can come and engage in special programs like job training, educational/tutoring classes, cooking classes, gardening, community integration, social skills, technology classes, therapeutic activities, arts and humanities, and more!

Adopt your ducks through Councilman Blackwell's Duck Team and support a great cause at https://www.duckrace.com/louisville/teams/3286

You can also JOIN my DUCK TEAM from this link and help me sell ducks!

For more information about Harbor House, visit www.hhlou.org or call (502)719-0072. 

What is Nar-anon? Nar-anon is a program that is for people who love someone with an addiction. If you spend your time trying to fix, manage, and control an addict and your results are sleepless nights, this program is for you! Nar-anon is for people affected by someone else's addiction! This is a place that you will see that you are not alone and that others understand what your life is like.

NAR-ANON, HOPE FOR FAMILIES

WHEN: Mondays at 8:00 pm

WHERE: MOSAIC UMC, 8008 St. Andrews Church Road, 40258

For more information, please contact Ed Small at 502.494.5030 or visit the Nar-Anon website. 

Update as of 4/13/17 

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has alerted our office that they expect construction to resume once again along Dixie Highway in the next two weeks. Some drainage work is expected to be completed prior to resuming paving of the road. 

For additional information, you can visit the KYTC District 5 website at http://transportation.ky.gov/district-5/