MTA Celebrates Autism Acceptance Month with Subway Announcements Recorded by People With Autism

To increase awareness and celebrate the millions of people living with autism, select announcements will play on 15-minute intervals in select stations across the subway system through April 30. This builds on the MTA’s public service campaign which first launched on April 1. Long Island Rail Road concourses at Penn Station and Grand Central Madison are lit up in blue and digital screens across the transit system are displaying Autism Acceptance Month messages throughout the month. 

“This is one of my favorite events to do every year – recognizing and celebrating Autism Acceptance Month,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “We're not only looking forward to hearing these announcements but we’re also dedicating our 10,000 screens across the system to broadcast messaging promoting autism acceptance and we’re lighting our high trafficked terminals like Penn Station and Grand Central Madison in blue.” 

"Autism Acceptance Month is a time to honor the diversity of minds, experiences, and to make our community stronger, more compassionate and more creative – I can’t wait to hear these announcements,” said New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “Here at New York City Transit, in partnership with INCLUDEnyc, New York City Public Schools, and My Time Inc, we’ve done something really special with dozens of young people with autism recording announcements that will play throughout our system.” 

“I’m grateful to these students for recording wonderful announcements that customers will be able to experience throughout the system,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “We work hard to ensure all riders feel that they belong while navigating the transit system and this campaign is our latest way to help spread that message.” 

“True inclusion means designing public spaces—like our transit system—that reflect the full diversity and neurodiversity of our city,” said New York City Public Schools Deputy Chancellor, Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning Christina Foti. “When our autistic students’ announcements echo through the subway, it’s a reminder that they too are the students who live, learn, and lead in this city. It’s a call for all of us to continue building a truly accessible city.” 

“INCLUDEnyc is excited about our continued partnership with the MTA during Autism Acceptance Month to uplift the voices of children with autism by affording this unique opportunity to record subway announcements and have them played in select subway stations,” said INCLUDEnyc Executive Director Cheryelle Cruickshank. “We are even more thrilled that this year we have expanded the partnership to more New York City public school children with disabilities through the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning. This initiative highlights the many strengths and talents of youths with autism, demonstrating why their contributions are invaluable to our communities. These subway announcements offer New Yorkers a unique opportunity to appreciate this talent, and we hope it inspires a broader understanding of the transformative potential of inclusion and access for young people with autism.” 

“It is a great day to be here and I can not wait to hear these announcements play at stations as part of Autism Acceptance Month,” said New York City Transit Advisory Committee on Transit Accessibility (ACTA) Member Christopher Greif. “During Autism Acceptance Month we are all advocating for the right and the good – thank you to the MTA, My Time Inc, New York City Public Schools and INCLUDEnyc for taking part.” 

“This Autism Acceptance Month, I am thrilled to see our incredible autistic students featured across subway platforms and screens throughout the city,” said New York City Public Schools Chief of the Special Education Office Suzanne Sanchez. “Their voices, their joy, and their presence matter—and seeing them celebrated in public spaces like the MTA sends a powerful message: our students with disabilities are not just accepted—they are valued and loved exactly as they are. This visibility is a celebration of disabled joy, and a reminder that our public spaces, like our schools, must reflect the beauty of all people. The city is for everyone, and that includes our brilliant, creative, and diverse students with disabilities.” 

“It’s amazing to participate in this initiative that reminds folks that those with autism, their families and support systems are welcome in the transit system,” said My Time Inc. Executive Director and Co-Founder Lucina Clarke. “Subway station announcements highlight the many abilities of this community and I’m thrilled to hear their voices in stations across the city.” 

“Thank you to the MTA, New York City Public Schools, INCLUDEnyc and all the other groups and kids represented here today,” said Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee Manager Kara Gurl. “Inclusion is so important and I’m really excited to hear all of the announcements while riding the system on the subways, buses and in stations.” 

Announcements will play on 15-minute intervals at the following stations: 

• Fulton Street         

• 96 St  

• E 180 St   

• 14 St Union Square         

• Times Square        

• 34th St Penn Station         

• Bowling Green   

• Atlantic Av Barclays             

• Flatbush Av   

• Forest Hills 71st Av     

• Queensboro Plaza    

   

Announcements were recorded by participants from the following schools and organizations: 

• The Cooke School

• Children's Academy

• SINAI at SAR

• Aaron High School

• Neighborhood Charter School of Harlem

• Manhattan Behavioral Center

• P.S. 075 Emily Dickinson School

• Bronxdale High School

• P.S. 372 The Children's School

• P.S. K053 

• The David Marquis School of the Arts 

• P.S. X176 

• P.S. M721 - Manhattan Occupational Training Center 

• P.S. R373 

• P.S. X017 

• P.S. K004

• P.S. 368K Star Academy 

• Ralph R. McKee Career and Technical Education High School

• New Dorp High School 

• P.S. 084 Jose De Diego 

• P.S. 133 Fred R Moore 

• P.S. 6 Corporal Allan F. Kivlehan School 

• New Design Middle School 

• P.S. 181 Brookfield 

• One World Middle School at Edenwald 

• P.S. 028 Mount Hope Centennial School

• P.S. 145 Andrew Jackson 

• P.S. X012 Lewis and Clark School 

• J.H.S. 014 Shell Bank 

• P.S. 153 Maspeth Elementary

• New York City Lab Middle School for Collaborative Studies

• Millennium Art Academy

• P.S. 138 

• P.S. 171 Peter G. Van Alst

• Staten Island Technical High School 

Autism Acceptance Month works to foster inclusion and increase understanding on what it means to be a person with autism while celebrating their accomplishments and contributions to society.