Connections Matter...
Make The VIP Connection
Welcome to the Verge of Independence Project: Multimedia Autism Advocacy (VIP), a Neurodiversity Culture using multimedia to promote the independence, self-advocacy, and social confidence of autistic adults 18+ years old!
​
"Did you know that nearly 800,000 young adults in the U.S. identify as an autistic person or a person with autism?" Click on the
About Autism, page to learn more about autism and resources.
Established in 2009, the VIP community supports adult individuals on the spectrum in discovering that Connections Matter. You, too, can make the connection by exploring this resourceful site.
​
VIP Blogs
written by the
award-winning
collegiate journalist
​
Melissa Lushington
Click on the photo to enter the VIP zone, where you can focus on empowering platforms that support and lead to gaining independence.
VIP featured in the
Award-winning
Funtimes magazine
Verge of Independence Project Declaration
The Verge of Independence Project, headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency and independence of young adults, who are
living on the autism spectrum.
The core values of Verge of Independence Project is rooted in the concepts of appreciating diversity, inclusion for all people,
innovation and thinking differently, and recognizing one’s potential, leading to an independent and productive life. In recognizing
and valuing diversity and inclusion for all people, there is the belief that certain individuals will require specialized
supports to achieve their full potential in life. This belief works on the principle that there is value in all people, and all people
have some talent to offer society. While some individuals are capable of independently offering their talents to better society,
other individuals will require a customized support system in order to manifest their talents. Powered by an unrivaled network
of independence movement leaders, the Verge of Independence Project serves to help individuals with autism in developing
their innate talents.
Our mission and vision of the Verge of Independence Project are to empower young adults living with autism into becoming
independent. Our role in that success is to share resources through social media tools that will assist individuals in exploring
pathways in education and the workforce that will lead towards an independent, productive, and happy lifestyle.
We, therefore, Verge of Independence Project – a.k.a. VIP members, virtually assembled, and mutually pledge to always
recognize that all human beings are equally noble and that everyone has not only the right to dream, but they have the right to
act on achieving their dreams. We solemnly publish and declare, that we will uphold this pledge, respecting ourselves and
others, and never to retreat in fulfilling our life’s mission.