The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), led by New York City Transit (NYCT) Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow, welcomed children with autism at Fulton Street Station on Monday, April 11, in recognition of World Autism Awareness Month. Students from the Foundry Learning Center had recorded their own public service announcements, which were inspired by those heard throughout the New York City Transit system. Parents also joined and heard their children’s messages played in the station. The recorded announcements will be played today for tens of thousands of regular riders on station speakers throughout the city.

“The MTA is honored to embrace children with autism, their unique talents and abilities, as well as their overwhelming spirit of resilience,” said New York City Transit Senior Vice President of Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “I am happy to hear about the children’s joyous experiences with the transit system and learn more about the important impact taking the subway has on both the children and their family’s lives.”

“I hope other transit systems across the world hear about this project and do something similar to help bring more awareness about autism to their cities and countries,” said Foundry Learning Center Co-Founder Jonathan Trichter. “It’s important to know these children and adults are different but similar—and not less.”

Autism Awareness announcements will play today between 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on 15-minute intervals, at the following stations:

•    Fulton Street         
•    96 St 2nd Av 
•    E180 St 
•    14 St Union Square      
•    Times Square         
•    34th St Penn Station   
•    Bowling Green    
•    Atlantic Av Barclays         
•    Flatbush Av 
•    Forest Hills 71st Av     
•    Queensboro Plaza    

Announcements will play in all four subway boroughs, at stations served by 20 lines, two at a time every 15 minutes for 12 hours, for a total of 1,056 public playouts.

Names of the children whose announcements will be heard are below:

•    Andrew U.
•    Elle "Froggy" 
•    Jarvis H. 
•    Jonathan A. 
•    Jordan D. 
•    Rafael C. 
•    Ryan H. 
•    Taiko S.

Children with autism regularly engage with the subway system and many enjoy the environment of riding trains, hearing announcements, and viewing the train cars as they go by.
  
More than five million Americans live with autism. World Autism Awareness Month works to acknowledge and celebrate their accomplishments and contributions to society while increasing awareness on what it means to be a person with autism.