Optimal Access / Access Academy

10/08/2026

☀️ Get ready, California!

Casey DePriest is headed your way to connect, share, and help !

🎤 TACA Conference: Casey will present “You Know More Than You Think: Unlocking the Parent’s Role in Autism Support”—recognizing the insight, influence, and connection that make parents essential partners in progress.

🤝 Kindred: Casey will offer consultation sessions for individualized guidance and support.

💬 Spellers Conference: Casey will be joined by Eric Lund as exhibitors! As founders of the ACCESS Method™, they’re excited to share tools and training built around communication, regulation, dignity & respect, and education & engagement.

Come connect with us, explore what’s possible, and discover how ACCESS changes everything! 🌟

10/06/2026

🗳️ Your voice matters!

At Optimal ACCESS, we believe everyone deserves access to reliable communication so they can express themselves, advocate for themselves, and fully participate in their communities.

Communication access is connected to our fundamental human and civil rights - including the right to participate in the voting process.

Did you know? People with disabilities have the right to accessible elections and can receive assistance when voting if they need support!

We’re excited to share this FREE webinar from Wellspring Guild, featuring self-advocates from the Washington County Communication Alliance

VOTE! The World Depends on Your Voice
📅 Friday, October 9
🕐 1:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM CT
💻 Virtual

Tracy Thresher, Scott Brodie, and Kris Medina will share insights on the power of voting, along with helpful ideas for researching and getting to know the candidates. There will also be a Q&A opportunity!

👉 Register at WellspringGuild.org

09/29/2026

Tomorrow! 👀 We’ll be at Ability Expo 2026!

Come find the Optimal ACCESS table, learn more about our programs and supports, and say hello! 💙

📅 September 30
⏰ 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
📍 Koch Student Center at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville

🎁 Come by our table to play our “Rethink Autism” game for a FREE prize!
🎟️ Show us this post at our table and get a FREE Optimal ACCESS sticker!

We’d love to see you there!

09/26/2026

09/25/2026

It’s Give like Dolly Day 9.25!
Donate here:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/dream-big-give-like-dolly-support-optimal-access

Or donate a book or two to our Free Little Library on the Newburgh Rivertown Trail!

In honor of Dolly Parton, donate a book to a little free library! —Brooke

09/25/2026

🚌 Help Us Get to Indy!

Optimal ACCESS is looking for a community partner willing to donate or sponsor transportation to help bring our staff, advocates, and support staff to Indianapolis for an upcoming disability advocacy rally.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we want to make it possible for our team and community to attend together, but transportation for a larger group is a significant expense for a small nonprofit.

🎟️ Rally registration: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/autismsocietyofindiana/event/protectingcommunitylivingourhomeourchoiceourlives/

If you can help—or know someone who might—please contact us at [email protected] or 812-490-9401.

Please share! You never know who in your network may be able to help. 💙

09/25/2026

Today is Give Like Dolly Day! 💗✨
A new annual tradition from the Dollywood Foundation to honor the legacy of Dolly Parton.

Dolly has inspired generations of children to dream more, learn more, care more, and be more. At Optimal ACCESS, we share that belief. We believe every student deserves the support, access, and opportunity needed to dream big and make those dreams possible.

In honor of September 25, we are inviting you to give $9.25, $92.50, or $925 in support of nonspeaking, minimally speaking, and unreliably speaking autistic individuals.

Whether you give a little or give big, your generosity helps remove barriers, recognize potential, and open doors to communication, education, autonomy, and belonging.

Help us reach our goal of $9,250 today!

💗 Dream Big.
✨ Give Generously.
🌟 Give Like Dolly.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/OA-DreamBig

09/24/2026

Happy Birthday, Jacob!🎉🎂

We’re so grateful that Jacob is part of ACCESS 2 Academics, here in our ACCESS community! From California to our ACCESS family, Jacob continues to impress us with his determination, his strong advocacy, and the love he has for his family.

It has been such a joy getting to know Jacob and watching him grow, take on new challenges, and use his voice to advocate for himself and others. We are incredibly proud to celebrate him today and all that makes Jacob so special!

Join us in wishing Jacob a very happy birthday and an amazing year ahead!🎉💙

09/24/2026

We’re excited to share that Optimal ACCESS will be at Ability Expo 2026! Come see us, learn more about our programs and supports, and connect with organizations serving individuals with disabilities throughout our community.

📅 September 30
⏰ 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
📍 Koch Student Center at Ivy Tech Community College Evansville

Stop by and say hello. We’d love to see you there!