Kate DeVane, the executive director of the Island Autism Group, will be awarded the Joseph Sattler Jr. Award later this month in recognition of her efforts to serve Islanders with autism.

The annual award is given by the Citizen Advisory Board of the Cape Cod and Islands area office of the Department of Developmental Services. It recognizes someone who has provided significant contributions to the improvement of the lives of those with disabilities on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Ed Jalowiec, the chair of the Citizen Advisory Board, said that Ms. DeVane was a clear choice.

“This is an underserved community. Here they were, basically getting nothing in terms of organized activities,” Mr. Jalowiec said. “But Kate raised a lot of money, raised a lot of support to get a facility together with a kitchen and space and she’s also working on housing where people can live together with a social group, with peers.”

This past year, Island Autism opened part of its new campus in West Tisbury. According to Ms. DeVane, the organization has been approved for a license by the Department of Developmental Services, which means that adults with autism can use their stipend towards the programming at Island Autism.

Ms. DeVane says the next phase of the group’s campus is already underway. She hopes that the first residential building will be able to house people by 2026.

Ms. DeVane said that she is honored to receive the award, but that she is only one of the many people who made the work possible.

“I’m very touched to be getting an award like that. It means so much, but I am one of many people who have made this whole thing work and come together. It could have gone to multiple people,” she said.

The award will be presented at the 2025 Direct Care Workers recognition breakfast, held on Friday, March 28, at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville.