As part of “Light It Up Blue” day for autism awareness, being held April 2 at Danbury Library, Cramer & Anderson Partner Jennifer Collins will participate in a panel discussion following a screening of the film “Deej.”
The film chronicles six years in the life of DJ Savarese, who seeks to help less fortunate kids by “showing people what a nonspeaking student with autism can do.” The screening is recommended for those ages 15 and up, educators, service providers, and parents of special needs children.
The panel discussion is being presented in partnership with WeCAHR (Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights), whose executive director, Christina Calabro, asked Attorney Collins to participate.
“I have a son on the spectrum,” says Attorney Collins, whose practice focuses on Personal Injury Law, Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation, and often involves working to get people with disabilities the tools they need to function to their best potential. “There have been times when I’ve referred clients to Ability Beyond or Marrakech, which assist people with disabilities in finding jobs.”
Attorney Collins anticipates getting questions from those who attend the film screening about expression techniques for those dealing with autism, such as music, and the use of technology like iPads.
“For the third consecutive year, on Tuesday, April 2, Danbury will join the Autism Awareness Movement as families of loved ones on the spectrum, community agencies, activists, the City of Danbury, Danbury Public Library, and David Parks, owner of Spin Doctor Entertainment, will come together to light up our public library blue for autism, and host awareness focused events for all ages throughout the day,” explains a news release posted online at Danbury’s HamletHub.
Events include a 4 p.m. story hour with a “celebrity reader,” Danbury Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, who will read “I Will Light It Up Blue” by Kerry Magro, the best-selling author, speaker and role model in the disabled community, the release noted, saying of Magro: “Non-verbal at 2.5 and diagnosed with autism at 4, Kerry has overcome countless obstacles to get to where he is today.”
The screening of “Deej” takes place at 5 p.m., followed by the panel discussion in which Attorney Collins is participating, and the event concludes with a 6:30 p.m. Light Up Blue Ceremony in the library plaza. It’s described as a “sensory-friendly ceremony featuring speakers, musical performances and a ‘light up’ moment that the library lit up blue honor of World Autism Awareness Day.”
Those planning to attend can register for events at ww.danburylibrary.org.
“Light It Up Blue” day has been held at city hall, and is being hosted this year at the library to highlight a fundraising campaign to help the Friends of the Danbury Library Inc. furnish a new sensory room in the library’s children’s department with objects and activities designed to stimulate children with special needs, the release explained, noting the room will be the first of its kind in a library in Connecticut.
“With the addition of a sensory room, the library will be a model for all public places in creating a supportive environment for the sensory sensitive population and promoting inclusivity,” library director Katie Pearson said in the news release posted by Tara Carvalho and event organizer Emanuela Palmares.
“Autism directly affects 1 in 68 children including 1 in 42 boys,” Palmares wrote. “My 6-year-old son, is one of them. We started our journey down the autism road with early intervention. He was diagnosed at age 2 and has received autism intervention services since and made incredible gains in some areas. That is why raising Autism Spectrum Disorder awareness is so important. Encouraging early detection and intervention, acceptance and understanding can in the long run improve the quality of life of all individuals in the spectrum, no matter what age.”
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A Partner in Cramer & Anderson’s Danbury office, Attorney Collins has strong record of achieving meaningful outcomes for clients in Personal Injury Law, Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation cases, and a continuing legacy of service, often focused on advocacy and mentoring for constituencies in need of understanding and assistance. She can be reached by email at jcollins@crameranderson.com and by phone at (203) 744-1234.
Serving clients from six offices in Western Connecticut, Cramer & Anderson has a hometown sensibility, a strong regional presence, and a worldly outlook in Practice Areas extending from Personal Injury and Divorce & Family Law to Immigration, Municipal Law, Land Use Law, Real Estate, Workers’ Comp and much more.
The flagship office is located in a historic structure on the Green in New Milford. Additional offices are located in Danbury, Litchfield, Kent, and Washington Depot, and the firm has a new office in Ridgefield, serving Fairfield County. For more information, see the website at www.crameranderson.com or call the New Milford office at (860) 355-2631.
