Positive Approaches Journal, Volume 8, Issue 2

Volume 8 ► Issue 2 ► 2019

Data Discoveries

The goal of Data Discoveries is to present useful data using new methods and platforms that can be customized.

Participating in communities is an important part of everyday life that allows us to meet new people, learn, and grow. Communities may be our families and our homes or where we live. Communities can also be our building, block, or neighborhood. Whether you live in a city or on a farm, being a part of our communities helps us meet new friends and learn about other people and ourselves.

In this issue, Data Discoveries presents a map of one type of participation in communities: community events gathered by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). Each dot on the map represents a zip code where an event or multiple events were held or will be held (through 2020). This map is a heat map, where multiple events are represented by changing colors of the dots, moving from green for one or fewer events to red for many events. Hovering over the dots also displays a bar graph displaying the number of community events within each zip code, within each the county, and compared the statewide average by zip code. A slider bar for date ranges is in the upper left hand corner to allow you to filter the dates between 6/1/2018 through 3/27/2020.

Zip codes and counties with the most events are the areas of Pennsylvania with the most people (population centers, or cities including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Harrisburg). Maps like this can be used to help people learn about community events near them or determine new parts of Pennsylvania where community events are needed or can be developed.

Learn more about participating in your community by visiting the ASERT Collaborative or Philadelphia Autism Project calendars of events. The ADA National Network also has a Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People with Disabilities.