News on Autism Speaks

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Midnight In Chicago News Bulletin for December 2008

http://mic.mypodcast.com/2008/12/FYI_Ne ... 70315.html

Autism Speaks has been officially designated as a non-governmental organization (NGO) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). This news bulletin provides factual information on the controversy surrounding Autism Speaks since its inception in February 2004.

Alternate link: www.mic.mypodcast.com

I can't watch anything on my computer. Summary?

It quotes a lot of sources from the media and the autism community which disagree with the new designation which the UN has given Autism Speaks.

The following article explained the appointment:

http://www.autismspeaks.org/press/unite ... go_dpi.php

Autism Speaks Named Official Non-Governmental Organization Associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information

NEW YORK, NY (December 18, 2008) - Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism advocacy organization, has been officially designated a non-governmental organization (NGO) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). This new designation will enable Autism Speaks to reach a new global audience in its efforts to promote the dignity, equal rights, social progress and better standards of life for individuals with autism. As the DPI's first and only associated organization devoted to autism, Autism Speaks is committed to increasing autism awareness and recognition, service delivery and research collaboration around the world.
Autism Speaks has worked closely with the DPI/NGO section since June 2007, participating in two DPI briefing events regarding autism.

The idea for an international day for autism was first proposed at one of these briefings, and just a few months later, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/139 designating April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Autism Speaks provided critical support to the State of Qatar, under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, in its initiative to make WAAD possible. The inaugural WAAD was celebrated in over 40 countries on six continents and received extensive media coverage, bringing the message of autism awareness to hundreds of millions of people around the world. The second World Autism Awareness Day will be marked on April 2, 2009.

"Autism is a disorder that affects families of all nationalities and ethnicities, and it is imperative that autism advocacy and research efforts transcend borders as well," said Suzanne Wright, Autism Speaks co-founder. "We are very grateful to the United Nations Department of Public Information for this recognition, and for the opportunity to play a central role in meeting the challenges of this global health crisis."

According to the United Nations, an NGO is a "not-for-profit, voluntary citizens group, which is organized on a local, national or international level to address issues in support of the public good.

Task-oriented and made up of people with common interests, NGOs perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens' concerns to governments, monitor policy and program implementation, and encourage participation of civil society stakeholders at the community level." As an associated NGO, Autism Speaks will be committed to participating in UN/DPI organized briefings and events; to disseminating information about autism and the work of the United Nations both locally and worldwide; and to engaging the participation of all levels of society to bring hope to individuals and families affected by autism.

Autism Speaks' application for NGO status was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) of the United States' National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the CIHR Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction (CIHR).

I read about this on The New Republic blog, and emailed the UN DPI asking them what mechanisms they had in place to ensure that Autism Speaks didn't inadvertently make things worse for us, since, no matter how well they mean, they are a parents' organization, not an autistics' organization. I don't expect to hear back, and if there is a mechanism, I doubt we could use it easily given our disability. I've given up on legal mechanisms where I live.

Hopefully, the media will like this as a controversy story and get our pov out there.

You'd be more likely to hear back if you'd have posed as a parent, but even then I really doubt it.

I get all nervous when I hear of Autism Speaks.

Well, I'd never thought I'd ever say this, but I can see why all these Middle Eastern extremists hate the West. The UN are idiots! American AND European gov't are fools if they think this will make things better for us... wait a minute, since when have politicians ever done anything for the "benefit" of anyone but themselves? Al-Qaeda may be the epitome of evil, but they strike a valid point. Our society sucks.

well, since the NGOs have pulled out of the Sudan and Afghanistan, maybe we could ship them there?...


Did I say that out loud?...

Says the 17 year old.

Screw you man. I'm entitled to an opinion about my government as well. And for your information I turn 18 in 2 months.

Says the Neurotypical.

note the date for the aforementioned "autism awareness day": april 2nd.

coincidence? I think not.

People can also watch the video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/MIDNIGHTinCHICAGO.

I know. Did they have to pick the day after April Fool's?

Screw you! Until this site becomes verifiably Autistic-exclusive you can kiss my fuzzy, white arse.

I intend to! I think...

anyone else think that, once again autism has been given an even worse reputation?:

so we're all now diseased and a crisis to the rest of the world, thanks for the emotional uplift you autism speaks c**ts!

sorry about this semi-rant but it angers me when i hear people class anything autistic as something it isn't, especially those apparent 'proffesionals' fighting our corner and loosing without giving us a chance to stand our ground.