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Rockville, MD —<\/b> The Autism Society has launched a new brand developed with the Autism community in an inclusive process that ensures accessibility standards for those seeking connection to resources, support and community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Over the course of a year, 150 individuals in the Autism community participated in the brand development. This includes Autistic self-advocates across the spectrum, parents, siblings and caregivers to those with Autism at all life stages, professionals and researchers in the field, and many leaders across the Autism Society\u2019s affiliate network. This significant number of participants helped shape the new brand from early research to final delivery of the look, feel, tone, and accessibility standards.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe got involved in the brand process because our three sons all have Autism, and our local affiliate, the Autism Society of Central Virginia, has been an incredible resource for our family,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said Kate and Gary Fletcher of Richmond, Virginia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Portland, Oregon-based Watson Creative was tapped to develop a brand that could bridge the diverse experiences across the Autism spectrum. Watson\u2019s research-based creative process included interviews, focus groups, and the use of advisory councils, which developed an understanding of the depth, diversity, and complexity of needs within the Autism community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAfter hearing from so many people, we were struck by the enormity of this task \u2013 creating a brand that serves a huge, diverse audience,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said Matt Waston, CEO and Executive Creative Director of Watson Creative. <\/span>\u201cWe needed to thread the needle to empower and support people across the spectrum with something grounded, actionable and true.\u201d<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n La marca tambi\u00e9n deb\u00eda servir como un espacio accesible y acogedor para todos. Para ello, se dise\u00f1\u00f3 con el fin de eliminar las barreras estructurales que imped\u00edan el acceso a los recursos y la informaci\u00f3n, y crear pr\u00e1cticas inclusivas que respaldaran las diversas necesidades de la comunidad autista.<\/span><\/p>\n El equipo de Watson revis\u00f3 todos los colores, fuentes y formas utilizando el <\/span>Pautas de accesibilidad al contenido web<\/span><\/a> (WCAG) para garantizar que cualquier persona que interact\u00fae con la Sociedad de Autismo y quienes busquen recursos puedan acceder f\u00e1cilmente a la informaci\u00f3n sin barreras visuales, auditivas o sensoriales de otro tipo. Se consult\u00f3 a personas, familias y profesionales a lo largo de todo el proceso para probar y medir el impacto de cada decisi\u00f3n de dise\u00f1o a medida que se tomaba.<\/span><\/p>\n The work resulted in an inclusive color system, \u201cthreads\u201d that visually tie in our story of connection with line fluidity that helps create a calm, visual stimulation. In addition, the portrait photography authentically captures people within the Autism community, amplifying true representation in the brand\u2019s visual components. The new logo weaves the colors and threads to create a visual that represents individuality and unique experiences that are simultaneously interconnected and woven into the greater Autism community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFor us, it\u2019s important that the brand creates visibility for the wide spectrum of individuals with Autism. There are self-advocates living fully independent lives, and then there are families like ours, where our children will need significant support throughout their lives. We want to see more connections being made between these groups,\u201d said the Fletchers.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n The Autism Society\u2019s new brand will support the organization, including the 75 affiliates across the country, as it aims to deliver its mission to create connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. Whether an individual with Autism advocates with the organization or a parent of a newly diagnosed child comes seeking information \u2013 the brand is designed to support a person\u2019s emotional, practical, and intellectual needs to build and foster connections.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNo matter how you engage with the Autism Society, we want you to feel welcome, included and connected to the resources, support and community you are looking for,\u201d<\/span><\/i> said Autism Society of America\u2019s President and CEO, Christopher Banks. <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s why I am so deeply inspired by our<\/span><\/i> new tagline – <\/span><\/i>The Connection is You\u2122. <\/i><\/b>This is a call to action for every one of us in the Autism community to create connections intentionally. When you come to the Autism Society looking for information, you are the connection. When you create a local support group for fathers of Autistic children, you are the connection. When you are an Autistic self-advocate showing up to share your story for policy changes, you are the connection.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n About Autism Society Greater New Orleans<\/b><\/p>\n The Autism Society of Greater New Orleans\u2019 mission is to c<\/span>reate connections, empowering everyone in the Autism community with the resources needed to live fully. <\/span>As the nation\u2019s oldest leading grassroots Autism organization, the Autism Society and its 75 local affiliates serve over half a million members of the Autism community each year. We envision a world where everyone in the Autism community is connected to the support they need, when they need it – including education, advocacy efforts, and supports and services throughout the lifespan for more information, go to<\/span> www.asgno.org<\/b><\/a>,\u00a0 <\/b>Facebook<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>Instagram<\/b><\/a>, or <\/b>Twitter<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/asgno.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Affiliate_Vertical_Brandmark_Greater_New_Orleans_FullColor-300x124.png\")
\u201cIn our conversations with members of the Autism community, the one thing that kept repeating was a sense of disconnection \u2013 disconnected to opportunities, to basic needs, it was universal,\u201d<\/span><\/i> Said Mr. Watson. <\/span>\u00abPor lo tanto, la conexi\u00f3n fue la respuesta universal a estas experiencias desconectadas\u00bb.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/asgno.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/2-300x300.png\")
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