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What Makes Commonwealth Autism Special
Commonwealth Autism was founded with a vision to address the growing need for support and resources for individuals with autism and their families.
Established in 1995, as The Autism Project of VA, the organization emerged from the recognition that many families were navigating the complexities of autism without adequate guidance, information, or community support. Commonwealth Autism has worked to meet the needs of autistic individuals in Virginia for 30 years. Based in Richmond, Virginia, our focus is operating, modeling, and innovating services that support diversity, equity, and community inclusion for autistic Virginians.
Our Mission
We unlock opportunities to support autistic individuals to achieve their potential.
Our Vision
We envision an inclusive Virginia where all people have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of our community and realize their full potential.
Our Promise
We will be flexible, we will adapt, and we will learn from safe failures. We will continue to evolve to best meet the needs of all Virginians.
Our Values
Above all else, we value:
- Innovation: We challenge the status quo by confronting problems with best practices and new solutions to complex issues.
- Flexibility: We embrace change. Our ability to adapt to best meet the needs of our audience is one of our greatest strengths.
- Collaboration: We develop, maintain and leverage relationships with people and organizations who strive to make human service systems work better for everyone.
Statement of Inclusion
We believe in full inclusion regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, self-identity, age, cultural and geographic origin and language. We tailor our services with sensitivity and strengthen our organization by embracing the full array of humanity.
For people with disabilities, we:
- Provide accessible parking at the front entrance to our Parham Road office.
- Provide accessible restrooms.
- Welcome service dogs in our facilities.
- Provide certain assistive or adapted materials or services with at least 72 hours’ notice.
- Access a relay service for phone conversations with people who are deaf, hearing impaired or have speech disabilities.
- Welcome autistic volunteers and ensure that they have meaningful work to do.
- Include people with and without autism in the same programs. We only offer separate programs if absolutely necessary.
- Recruit board members who will advocate for and are familiar with individuals with a variety of needs.
- Include considerations for people with disabilities in our policies and procedures.
- Make our staff aware of environmental modifications and accommodations that individuals with disabilities may need.
Good Foods Grocery is now a part of Commonwealth Autism!
We are very excited to have Good Foods Grocery Store in Stony Point as part of the Commonwealth Autism family! This union aligns with our mission to foster inclusivity and support within the community, and offers an ideal location to pioneer our workforce development program for autistic individuals seeking employment and training.
To learn more, check out the article on BizSense linked below.
Autism Resources in Hampton Roads
In an effort to extend our impact to Hampton Roads, Commonwealth Autism has established an office within FACT’s Autism Resource Center building in Virginia Beach. By doing so, CA aims to bridge the gap in autism resources and provide essential, personalized resource navigation services to Tidewater families at any stage of their autism journey.
Help us advance our mission.
We envision an inclusive Virginia where all people have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of our community and realize their full potential. You can help.
Our Impact Reports
We are proud of our programs, progress and profound impact. We invite you to read about our work in these annual summaries.
How can we help you today?
Virginia Beach Office – FACT Autism Resource Center
CA Adult Programs
Inclusive Preschools
Stay connected to CA
9221 Forest Hill Ave, Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 355-0300
FACT Autism Resource Center- 3509 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
CA works with autistic people and their families to help them thrive. Every day, we’re building a future where the most vulnerable Virginians can actively participate in our community and realize their full potential.
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