🌸ASAN March Update 🌸

ASAN March Newsletter

Dear friend,

This month saw our community come together in different ways, from remembrance of those we’ve lost to fighting for our rights. Check out what we’ve been up to this month and what we’re planning for the month to come!

This month began on a somber note, but we’re grateful for everyone who coordinated and attended vigils for our annual Disability Day of Mourning on March 1. It is vital that we come together and remember those we’ve lost to filicide in the last year. Even if you were not able to attend, you can still watch our virtual vigil here.

ASAN welcomes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed ban on electric skin shock devices for behavior modification. The announcement came last week and the proposed rule will be open for public comments until May 28, 2024. We need everyone to submit comments telling the FDA to #StopTheShock! ASAN will also be hosting a webinar about submitting public comments on April 11 at 3:30pm EST — register today!

We’re excited to announce our new Teighlor McGee Grassroots Mini Grants Program! These mini grants will provide up to $5,000 in funding to projects focused on creating change for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We will fund up to six projects during this grant cycle. Created in memory of Teighlor McGee’s legacy of empowering grassroots disability work and uplifting self-advocates of color, this program features two different grant categories: The Affiliates In Action Mini Grant and Self-advocates Transforming Equitable Policy (STEP) Mini Grant. Join us for a webinar on April 18 to learn more about the program.

Despite decades of progress for disability employment protections and civil rights, it is still legal to pay people with disabilities subminimum wage. Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act has allowed employers to pay disabled workers subminimum wage for close to 90 years. Recent data has shown that disabled employees working under a 14(c) certificate earned an average of $3.34 per hour. Many workers make even less than this. That’s why ASAN joined the American Association of People with Disabilities and the National Council on Independent Living earlier this month on a webinar to talk about why we need policy change to end this harmful practice. Thank you to all who attended!

With meetings four times a year, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) will meet on Wednesday, April 17. It is more important than ever to make sure autism research reflects what matters to all of us. Make your voice heard by submitting a comment to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee before each meeting! Learn more about the IACC and how to submit a comment with our resource Autism Research and the IACC: Your voice matters.

As we welcome Autism Acceptance Month beginning tomorrow, the age of the dinosaurs is making a comeback as we unearth the possibilities of autistic self-advocacy with your support! In honor of our Dinosaur Donor membership tier, we’re celebrating with dinosaur-themed socials, emails, and member-exclusive design. We’re excited to share everything we have in store this April!

Sincerely,

The Team at ASAN

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