Baker College’s Auburn Hills campus hosts Lt. Gov. Brian Calley for Autism Awareness Month

Baker College’s Auburn Hills campus hosted Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, during its Speaker Series in observance of Autism Awareness Month.

“Lt. Gov. Calley is a crusader for all Michiganders with disabilities or other limitations that may keep them from enjoying life to its fullest,” said Peter W. Karsten, Ph.D., CPA, Baker College of Auburn Hills president. “His message of inclusion to our young people reminds us that our society will never be whole until it embraces people of all abilities.”

Calley and his wife Julie are the parents of a child who was diagnosed with autism in 2010 and are active supporters of autism awareness and inclusion in Michigan. More than 300 students attended the presentation, which was the second year in a row autism was highlighted.

Even before his daughter was diagnosed, Calley advocated for Michigan's Autism Insurance Reform legislation. The legislation became effective in 2012 and mandates that for-profit, commercial, HMO and non-profit health insurance companies regulated by the state of Michigan provide an autism benefit covering services related to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) up to age 18.

Calley is also an outspoken supporter of access to autism services and inclusion in schools and communities of all people with developmental challenges. One way Calley is doing this is through the MI Hidden Talent tour and workshop with Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to promote how employers can uncover and develop the talents of all Michigan citizens including those with disabilities.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1911, Baker College grants doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees, as well as certificates in diverse academic fields including applied technology, business, education, engineering, health science, information technology and social science. Baker College has on-ground campuses throughout Michigan and offers online programs that can be completed 100 percent online without ever visiting a campus. In 2016, the Online Learning Consortium recognized Baker College Online with the OLC Quality Scorecard Exemplary Endorsement, the highest ranking for online higher education programs. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

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Photo caption:

Baker College’s Auburn Hills campus hosted Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley to share his thoughts in observance of Autism Awareness Month. Pictured are Baker College of Auburn Hills President Peter Karsten, Genisys Credit Union President and CEO Jackie Buchanan, Calley and Baker College of Auburn Hills board chair Susan Ebeling.