This is part one of a five-part series about the recipients of the Impact 100 grants for this year.

Impact 100 Focus Category: Family

Website: AutismAvenueInc.org

Phone: 251-432-0767

Summary: “Communication for the nonverbal child”

Fund technology needed to operate the Talk component on Apple and Android mobile technology Autism Avenue talk, learn and live program helps the nonverbal child to communicate. The talk component curriculum is software used on computers and mobile devices that uses voice feedback when a child touches an icon on the screen of their device. It links photograph or line drawing with real voices

Talk gives children a voice through powerful, portable technology. It has a tremendous positive exponential impact on Baldwin County as it enables users to communicate, integrate and participate in community life. 

Autism is becoming an increasing occurrence among our society today, and Autism Avenue is helping children become better communicators and participate more through their grant from Impact 100.

“Our mission is to develop programs for children with special needs and create awareness for autism,” says Ray Miller, CEO of Autism Avenue.

Autism Avenue has just published their first application for Apple and Android users: “Talk.” It is for children who are nonverbal or struggle with communication.

“We primarily focus on autism, but we know our app Talk can impact several exceptionalities,” Miller says.

Autism Avenue began as a nonprofit organization on Aug. 6, 2010, concentrating in six southern counties of Alabama, including Baldwin County.

“The impact we can have is tremendous,” Miller says, “but we are concentrating on Alabama and this area. We even have people from California contacting us. We will respond and help in certain ways, but this area is our concentration. And we know we are going to expand.”

Miller originally thought because the organization only had a concept for the grant, he didn’t see why Autism Avenue should spend their time and Impact 100’s time on something that he thought needed to happen the following year.

“I talked to Jennifer Fly, the executive director of The Exceptional Foundation, and she said we should apply,” Miller said. “She encouraged us. She encouraged me.”

Miller describes Autism Avenue receiving the grant as “providential.”

It was kind of neat,” Miller says, “Before we had even made it to the announcement ceremony, we had lost the app through Google and Android. It’s been a calling—and it wouldn’t have been without a few unexpected turns.”

Autism Avenue plans to use their $92,000 grant towards marketing and technology. The app is going to house valuable information such as a newsletter, sales reports and upgrades.

They also plan to create a reporting system. This tracks a child’s progress and its software architecture is unique to Autism Avenue. The organization originally planned to purchase and produce the app with their grant money, but the app was already produced by the grant presentation.

“Since we already finished our Talk app, we are hoping to use that money for something additional like upgrades or redesigning our website in the near future.”

For more information about Autism Avenue, visit their website or their application landing website, A2ATalkApp.com.