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SAFE (Supporting Autism Friendly Environments) Program

Inside the Cassell Colesium SAFE space, a small, colorful room away from the noise of the game that includes bean bags, a cushioned floor, a  play tents and other soft items. Two volunteers are sitting on the left side.
SAFE space at the December 2022 VT Women's Basketball Game. VT Doodle drawn by Steven White.

We're very excited to welcome our first SAFE Intern!!

Claire Branscome has been selected to be our first SAFE intern through the Virginia Tech SAFE InternEXP program.  She is an undergraduate student in her Senior year at VT studying Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience. She grew up in Blacksburg and decided to stay in town for college due to her love for the community and surrounding areas. In the future, Claire is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, possibly occupational therapy. In her free time, Claire can be found enjoying time outdoors, volunteering as an EMT, or playing her acoustic guitar!

Head shot of Claire Branscome

Stay tuned for new and upcoming SAFE programming, which will be announced here, through our VTCAR weekly e-newletter and via our SAFE Facebook pages.

 

Check out our photos from the recent SAFE Women's VT basketball game against Radford University.  It was a sold out arena!  The Special Olympics team played during half time, which was a treat, and the Hokies took home the win!

Screen of jumbotron at the game, with player Liz and her sister Raven Kitley being interviewed.
Star player Liz Kitley and her sister Raven in a video highlighting autism acceptance.
SAFE space outside of the area.  On the floor are colorful soft toys, tents and sensory items for individuals to use.
Our SAFE space in a quiet hallway of Cassell Coliseum.
VTAC/CAR director Angela Scarpa standing at the information table during the game.
VTAC/CAR director Angela Scarpa at our information table.
Group photo on the court of SAFE students, staff and the basketball team
Post win group photo with the basketball and SAFE teams.
Sign in hallway showing where attendees can go to access the SAFE space.
Sign guiding attendees to our SAFE space.
View of stadium seats showing the sold out game crowd.
Half time show.

SAFE Program Mission

The SAFE (Supporting Autism Friendly Environments) program provides greater access for individuals with autism to attend local venues and participate in community activities. True to Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission, this outreach initiative provides enrichment activities to local families to enhance the quality of life for individuals in our community.

Click to see our SAFE Coordinator, Amy Azano, give an overview.

 

Join our SAFE community

Would you like to recieve information about upcoming SAFE events and learn how to get more involved?  Scan this QR code and complete the form to join our email listserv.

You can also email the SAFE coordinator, Amy Azano, at azano@vt.edu or 540-231-8889.

SAFE Email List QR code

black and white QR code used for scanning

SAFE Community Champion Awards

The success of the SAFE program depends on community partners who are willing to "champion" the mission and goals of the SAFE program. Our deepest gratitude to the following individuals and their organizations for being our SAFE Community Champions through the years.  Stay tuned to learn who will become our newest SAFE Community Champion!

2017 Susan Mattingly and The Lyric Theatre

2018 Mike Weaver and Hokie BugFest

2019 Phyllis Newbill and the Virginia Tech Science Festival

2020 Jordan Albright:  At the time, Jordan was a clinical science graduate student with a full schedule.  Her work behind the scenes of planning, staffing and training various organizations to be ‘SAFE’ approved was top notch.  We are grateful for her tireless efforts and three year dedication to the program, where Jordan organized and implemented at least 12 SAFE trainings.

2022 Tori Thurston, Assistant Director of Marketing and Fan Experience, and the VT Women's Basketball Team.  The SAFE basketball games of 2021 and 2022, inspired by #33 Elizabeth Kitley's autistic sister Raven, would not have happened if it weren't for Tori initiating the collaboration.  Both were executed with great success and we look forward to more games in the future!

SAFE Goals

Goals for the SAFE Program are twofold: (1) to provide everyday access to entertainment venues for individuals with autism and their families; and (2) to create a culture of awareness and acceptance in our community. While increasing access for meaningful participation in the community by individuals with autism, SAFE also teaches empathy, creating a community of care and compassion – qualities greatly valued by Virginia Tech.

Program Activities

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability and can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. These challenges can make it difficult for individuals with autism to attend a basketball game, go trick or treating, enjoy a fireworks demonstration, or go to the movies. The SAFE Program endeavors to partner with community organizations, businesses, and Virginia Tech to strategize low or no cost interventions in these various environments to increase access for individuals with autism and their families or friends. True to Virginia Tech’s land-grant mission, Ut Prosim, this outreach initiative provides enrichment activities to families to enhance the quality of life for individuals in our community.

The SAFE Program's previous partners include the Hokie BugFest, the VT Women's Basketball Team, the Lyric Theater, VT Physics Department’s K-12 Outreach Program, the Universal Design course at VT, the VT Science Festival, Housing and Residential Life, Theta Delta Chi fraternity’s “Bro’s United” mentoring program, Kids Tech University, the Panhellenic Council at VT, and the VT ICAT Creativity and Innovation Day.

Check out the SAFE Facebook page for updates on news and events!

 

Give a Gift

Contributions may be made to the VT Center for Autism Research SAFE Program.

BY MAIL:  Checks should be made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc. and write VT Center for Autism Research-SAFE Program in the memo section.

Virginia Tech Advancement Division
Office of Gift Accounting
University Gateway Center (0336)
902 Prices Fork Road
Blacksburg, VA 24061

BY CREDIT CARD:  Use Virginia Tech's secure online form.   Select your gift amount.  Under Select an Area select College of Science.  Under Select a Fund select Other.  Under Designation type VT Center for Autism Research-SAFE Program. Under Search for an Area to Support, leave blank.  Complete the remainder of the form.

BY PHONE:  To give by phone with your credit card, please call 800-533-1144 and ask for the Office of Gift Accounting. Our 800 number is answered Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

 

For more information or to learn about other ways to give, please contact Jenny Orzolek, Senior Director of Major Gifts for Advancement for the College of Science.  You can reach her by  phone at 540-231-5643 or by email at jorzolek@vt.edu.