{"id":130,"date":"2016-04-25T21:27:06","date_gmt":"2016-04-25T21:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogschapman.wpenginepowered.com\/tpi\/2016\/04\/25\/reblog-chapmans-new-thompson-policy-institute-explores-data-on-autism-at-its-first-annual-disability-summit-may-3\/"},"modified":"2026-03-11T17:50:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T17:50:24","slug":"reblog-chapmans-new-thompson-policy-institute-explores-data-on-autism-at-its-first-annual-disability-summit-may-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/tpi\/2016\/04\/25\/reblog-chapmans-new-thompson-policy-institute-explores-data-on-autism-at-its-first-annual-disability-summit-may-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Reblog: Chapman\u2019s new Thompson Policy Institute explores data on autism at its first annual DisAbility Summit, May 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapman University\u2019s Thompson Policy Institute (TPI) on Disability and Autism<\/a> will present its findings at the inaugural DisAbility Summit, to be held in Chapman\u2019s new Musco Center for the Arts on Tuesday, May 3, 2016.<\/p>\n

The DisAbility Summit, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon (9-10 a.m. registration and networking; 10 am-noon conference), is free of charge to all attendees, and is expected to attract an audience comprised of individuals with disabilities, families of people with disabilities, education professionals, government officials, direct-service providers and other community stakeholders.<\/p>\n

Though admission is free, all conference attendees must register in advance at www.chapman.edu\/tpi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The TPI\u2019s purpose is to provide independent information on critical issues in disability and facilitate action. In line with its purpose, the Institute\u2019s co-founding directors, Drs. Don Cardinal and Amy-Jane Griffiths,\u00a0will present results of data analysis toward understanding the increasing rates of autism and other disabilities in Orange County and California and present a recent research report on Autism in the Workplace<\/strong>. A short discussion will follow the presentation on what needs to happen next from professionals toward benefiting children, adults, and families in this important area. This inaugural DisAbility Summit will be the TPI\u2019s first step in convening community leaders to drive action on specific areas of need. Throughout the year, TPI will continue to facilitate community change by providing an environment designed for these leaders to collaborate, connect and implement actionable goals.<\/p>\n

Opening remarks will be offered by Chapman Chancellor\/President-Designate Daniele Struppa and TPI benefactor and thought-leader William Thompson.<\/p>\n

Last fall, Chapman University received a $3 million gift from the William S. and Nancy E. Thompson Foundation <\/a>to establish the Thompson Policy Institute on Disability and Autism, a think-tank that gathers data and develops its own independent research to study and facilitate action on issues in disability and autism. The Institute\u2019s goals are to educate policy-makers and decision-makers on these topics and to facilitate action plans, thus helping to improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn areas like autism, there\u2019s new information to consider almost daily,\u201d said Don Cardinal, Ph.D., co-founding director of the TPI.\u00a0 \u201cThis conference gathers our findings on these critical issues and presents them in a way that can be clearly understood by all interested parties.\u00a0 Central to our mission, we are dedicated to an independent view of all issues on which we focus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPublic policy is much more than research and data,\u201d said Amy Jane Griffiths, Ph.D., co-founding director of the TPI.\u00a0 \u201cWe believe that sharing this knowledge will be a powerful tool in making significant and lasting change in our society, positively impacting the real lives of people with disabilities, their families and their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the findings to be presented at the May 3rd Summit, Dr. Cardinal will present:<\/p>\n