The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has reversed its decision and announced that it will reinstate a widely praised program that allows students with autism to record PSAs (public service announcements) that will be broadcast throughout the subway system.
The program, which gave autistic children the opportunity to share important messages with millions of transit riders, was abruptly canceled in 2024. Earlier this year, the MTA denied an application from a leader of an autism advocacy group seeking to continue the initiative—a rejection first reported by The Post on Monday. However, following public outcry and media attention, the agency has decided to bring the program back.
This reversal marks a significant win for families and advocates who have championed the program’s return. The MTA had previously co-sponsored events featuring autistic children in both 2022 and 2023, even issuing press releases to promote the initiative and celebrate its impact.
“I am writing to let you know the MTA decided to honor your children this year after all. I am so pleased,” Jonathan Trichter, head of the Autism Transit Project, said in an e-letter to parents of children with autism.
The renewed program will now be coordinated in partnership with INCLUDEnyc, a nonprofit organization that supports children with autism spectrum disorder. The organization previously co-sponsored the initiative in 2023 and will play a key role in ensuring the PSAs are featured throughout the subway system during April Autism Acceptance Month.
For many parents, the program’s return is a cause for celebration.
“This is great news. It’s the right thing to do,” said Brenna Calles, a parent whose 8-year-old son, Morgan, participated in the program in previous years and is eager to take part again.
“It’s going to be great for kids to showcase their abilities and why they matter,” Calles said.
The decision to reinstate the program came just in time. Parents who had planned to testify at Wednesday’s MTA board meeting, urging the agency to bring back the initiative, were notified Tuesday that it had already been reinstated.
Calles credited The Post story for helping to bring the issue to light and push the MTA to take action.
INCLUDEnyc’s executive director, Cheryelle Cruickshank, expressed enthusiasm for the renewed collaboration, emphasizing the program’s importance for children with autism and their families.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with the MTA on the Autism Transit Project again on behalf of NYC children with autism and other disabilities and their families who love trains and all things transit!,” Cruickshank said.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber, however, downplayed the controversy, suggesting that the situation stemmed from a misunderstanding.
“Our autism program is ongoing and it existed long ago and it is continuing,” Lieber said following Wednesday’s MTA board meeting.
“No. 1, we run autism programs year-round, not just once a year. We especially have a lot of programs in the month of April.
“And there was confusion, because the one outfit [Autism Transit Project] that you’re taking that commentary from was misunderstood. We had an exclusive relationship with them. They’re a private school,” he added.
Lieber also emphasized that the MTA is broadening its partnerships.
“We’re working with public schools that serve this population, the special needs population, and so the misunderstanding has been cleared up, and we’re going to continue to do a lot of programs with that population.”
MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifa Riera reinforced the agency’s commitment to supporting the autism community.
“We use the 10,000 digital screens to highlight autism acceptance month, as well as lighting many of our high-traffic terminals blue to bring awareness to our customers and everyone across the city,” Riera said.
Despite the MTA’s reassurances, some advocates remain skeptical. Trichter, who had initially raised concerns about the program’s cancellation, declined to comment on Wednesday.
While questions remain about how the program will be structured moving forward, families and advocates are celebrating the fact that children with autism will once again have the opportunity to record PSAs and share their voices with the city.
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