PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA honored a man with autism on Wednesday, for defending a bus driver last month. It was part of the transit agency's ceremony marking April as Autism Acceptance Month.
It was a month ago when 22-year-old Jamir Nelson was bullied by rowdy passengers as he defended his SEPTA bus driver in Chester. Nelson is autistic and the transit agency paid tribute to him during its Autism Acceptance Month observance at its Center City headquarters.
SEPTA leaders gave him a bag of swag to show their appreciation. They also highlighted the Accessible Travel Center at Suburban Station, where people with disabilities can board mock-ups of SEPTA vehicles to acquaint themselves with the system.
Catherine Fleming, an occupational therapist for SEPTA, said autistic individuals should be accepted and accommodated as part of our community.
“We're not only honoring neurodiversity but acknowledging the contributions of autistic individuals in our communities, schools, workplaces and families.” she said.
“Our acceptance means moving beyond awareness into action, and creating spaces where people are respected and barriers are removed.”