The Autism NOW National Resource and Information Center has created a survey to find out what people think about values and ethics as they relate to autism, developmental and intellectual disabilities. The survey is part of a process to create a Core Values Statement for the Autism NOW Center.
ASAN is currently gathering interest for a new chapter at Syracuse University, where a regional symposium on neurodiversity and autistic self-advocacy will take place August 5, 2011.
Congress Urged to Amend Autism Legislation: The Jewish Federations of North America, along with ASAN, seek amendments to the Combating Autism Act to ensure the involvement of self-advocates and to fund more research on services and the needs of adults. The JFNA Action Alert contains information on how to contact key Senators.
Register Now for Autism Conference: ASAN is organizing the self-advocacy strand for the 2011 Autism Summer Institute at the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability.
ASAN President Ari Ne’eman gave an interview discussing ASAN’s opposition to extending the flawed Combating Autism Act, which failed to address the urgent need for services across the lifespan and did not involve self-advocates in research and planning.
Community Experiences Surveyed: Two research surveys addressing issues of community involvement and experiences in society, one by the AASPIRE Gateway Project and the other by Adena Rottenstein and other researchers at the University of Michigan, seek input from Autistic participants.
Criminal Charges Lead to Departure of Matthew Israel from Judge Rotenberg Center: As part of a plea bargain agreement for charges against him involving JRC’s use of electric shock on two teenagers, Matthew Israel is leaving the center, the Boston Globe reports.
Autism and Ethics Discussion: A focus group will be held in the Boston area on Saturday, June 25, 2011 to discuss core ethics and values for the Autism NOW Center.
School District Liable for Illegal Segregation: A school district violated the law and harmed autistic students by segregating them in a small portable classroom, a judge has ruled.
New Report on Home and Community Based Services Funding: Community living is the topic of a new report by ASAN and two other leading self-advocacy organizations, Self Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), and the National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN). The report is intended to guide the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in developing new rules for funding home and community based services.
Medicaid Cuts Opposed: ASAN and other groups in the National Disability Leadership Alliance have submitted a joint letter to Congress urging rejection of proposals to repeal the Medicaid Maintenance of Effort requirements.
An article by Paula C. Durbin-Westby. When a person has a disability that person is still a person. That person with a disability has a body, and a mind. That person with a disability has needs, concerns, desires, a personal history, a context of family, friends, and community relations. A person who has a disability has all the legal and civil rights of personhood (or should).
