Protests Planned Against Autism Speaks: ASAN is preparing a joint letter from the disability community in response to the horrific statements in the “I am Autism” video. In addition, our activists and allies are organizing protests to confront Autism Speaks’ fundraising efforts.
Vicious Prejudice Shown in Autism Speaks Video: We have provided the full transcript of the “I am Autism” video by Autism Speaks, which depicts Autistic people as useless burdens destroying their families and society.
Student Involvement Fair: The Ohio State chapter of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network worked a table at the student involvement fair, a community event with over 500 student and community organizations, and distributed informational handouts.
Community Works Together for Removal of Billboards: Thanks to those who wrote in and called about the kidnapped children billboard campaign, ASA-York has agreed to pull the billboards. This is a sign of the importance of working together as a community to address issues like this.
Billboard Removal Requested: ASAN has contacted the Autism Society of York, Pennsylvania, expressing concern about a billboard campaign depicting Autistic children as kidnapping victims.
White House Disability Policy Meeting: The steering committee of the Justice for All Action Network (JFAAN), a cross-disability coalition, met for an hour with two senior White House officials to discuss some of our common policy priorities.
Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary Celebration: We’ve posted photos of this White House event, attended by ASAN President Ari Ne’eman, at which President Barack Obama signed a proclamation commemorating the ADA and the rights of people with disabilities.
An essay by Maddy McEwen. It makes for a delightful easy splot of nostalgia; ‘what will you be when you grow up?’ [We apply this to all family members on the theory that some day we adults may have different jobs!] Oh how it changes. All the usual fire fighter, super hero, artist options never see the light of day. Instead we have an eclectic collection of options, phases that they grow through. Do not allow your older children to destroy it as evidence they now find embarrassingly babyish.
Long Term Services and Supports Advocated: ASAN and several other disability rights organizations have sent a joint letter to Secretary Sebelius urging that the Community Choice Act, which would eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid and enable people with disabilities to live in the community, be included in health care reform legislation.
Collaborative Research Project: A gateway for research committed to inclusion, respect, accessibility, and community relevance, the AASPIRE Gateway Project is recruiting participants with and without disabilities and participants on the autistic spectrum.
ASAN has issued a statement commenting on the AFAA report by Autism Speaks and several other organizations, which discusses adult supports and services.
Attwood himself started using, and still uses, the term “Cassandra Phenomenon” and also feels quite comfortable using “affective deprivation” at the same time that he publicly pretends to distance himself from the whole concept. In addition his unprofessional talk of the partner of a person with AS “becoming Aspie- it’s an infectious process” is both inaccurate and also demeaning.
