Register Now for 2011 Autism Summer Institute
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.
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).
PBS NewsHour’s program about autism dismisses adults’ needs: In addressing why the Autistic community was not invited to participate, Robert MacNeil claimed that issues facing Autistic adults were not “an urgent issue” and not important enough to merit coverage. ASAN has issued a press release condemning his ignorant statements.
Cafe Press responds to concerns: Cafe Press has agreed to allow shop owners who sell autism-related products to opt out of the April 2011 fundraiser, has created a survey asking where funds should be donated, and has informed us that it will provide a survey next year.
Concerns about Upcoming PBS NewsHour Program: ASAN has released a statement expressing concern about next week’s PBS NewsHour six-part special about the autism spectrum.