Maplewood Bookstore Honored For Creating Autism-Friendly Space

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Jonah and Ellen Zimiles founded [words] bookstore in Maplewood with a simple goal, to create a welcoming atmosphere for people and families of all stripes – including young people diagnosed with autism - to pursue their love of literature.

Now, after about a decade of serving as a sanctuary for local readers and providing job training opportunities for more than 100 young adults with autism, the Zimiles have gotten a well-deserved nod of thanks from the Autism Science Foundation (ASF).

This week, the nonprofit presented the Maplewood residents – along with Marjorie Madfis, founder of Yes She Can Inc. – with its Caryn Schwartzman Spirit Award. The award honors parent advocates with an “energy, tenacity and commitment to enhancing the lives of individuals with autism.”

According to the ASF, the Zimiles have two adult children, Liz, a 27-year-old, and Daniel, a 22-year-old diagnosed with autism.

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Last month, the Zimiles announced plans to open a new location at a unique special needs learning facility in Livingston dubbed "Lifetown." Like the Maplewood main branch, which opened in 2009, the new store is intended to be a "community literary hub" that will provide vocational training for individuals on the autism spectrum.

• See related article: Words Plans New Bookstore At Special Needs Center In Essex County

“The Zimiles' efforts on behalf of disabled customers and employees, especially those with autism, have helped Maplewood become a model community of inclusion,” the ASF stated in a news release.

"It's difficult for parents to bring special needs children into stores, though most Maplewood stores are welcoming, but we want to make it a stated mission and provide job training for special needs adults down the road,” Jonah Zimiles said after the store moved to a new location in 2009.

“This store is an expression of faith in the community,” he added. “If we support the community and provide a beneficial service, I expect positive things to flow.”

• See related article: Words Bookstore, Where The Story Is Community

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