Guidance for Getting Us Heard

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As some of you may know, I've been working on a resource Website for the autism spectrum, with an Asperger's focus. Most areas either are done or at least have enough content to make it worthwhile to have a look. I have several more sites, including a few more forums, I think, to consider including. But now I'm at a point where I need to consult.

The issue at hand is how to handle the section in which I want guests to be able to find out what a variety of folks on the spectrum have to say about various specific points. This is different from pointing people to articles on a subject. I want to make the thoughts of several people heard on each subject, because we don't always agree, and because different details or unique considerations might be brought up by different people. I just want to give a chance for people to be able to say a few words, so that those who visit my site will hear from a range of real life spectrumites. I'm hoping this will help dispel the notion that we're a monolithic community or that most of us have nothing worthwhile to say about ourselves and our lives.

Here are some ideas I've come up with regarding how I could handle this:

I could put links to some of our discussion threads on WP. This would be the easiest choice for me, because I can go back into discussions I've been a part of, to find at least some of what I'm looking for, and because I won't have to do the work of adding more pages to my site to accommodate all the comments. We've had some exciting discussions, and I think the world could benefit from seeing how we deal with these issues. The down side, however, is if anyone feels uncomfortable having me direct people to threads they've posted in. Our forums can be seen by anyone, unless they're in the members only section, so no actual violation of privacy can occur. But I don't want to be insensitive, in case someone has a concern.

I could ask for permission from individual posters to quote their posts from existing threads. This would be very time and labor intensive for me, as it will involve a lot more sifting through things and contacting of individuals, and I worry I'll be overwhelmed very quickly. However, it would eliminate the problem of leading the general public to posts that the posters may prefer not to have so many people find.

I could post to solicit private responses to particular survey questions, with the understanding that answering means getting quoted. This will get me a less discussion-like kind of interaction, and I would consider that something of a loss. I'd be concerned about cluttering the forums with these surveys, as well. Also, it would be a mid-level amount of labor, and I'm worried about even that burning me out somewhat. But I'll try it if it seems people really object to my first option.

I could also post new threads on old topics, asking in each original post that people only respond if they don't mind being quoted. That would save me some work, as long as people noticed that request. But it would also mean, well, repetition in the forum, as stated. Some might find that irritating, and it presents another clutter risk. Again, this would also mean extra labor for me, at a time when I'm beginning to tire and itch to finish up this project. Other areas of interest are on hold, and I'm struggling in what feels like the home stretch.

I could eliminate the section from my Website if there's no good way for me to add to it without creating problems.

In connection with that last possibility, there's my concern about whether or not any of this is appropriate, and so I'm looking for moderator guidance on that. Does my interest in doing this violate the WP rule against Website promotion? I'm certainly hoping this won't be viewed as some type of spam, especially given that I post all the time about other stuff, but I'll absolutely abide by the decision of any moderator to ensure that I keep within the guidelines. I'm only looking to expose the wider world to our individual ways of thinking about things, in order to broaden their horizons. Some of them may be on the spectrum and not know it, only recently have found out, or only just now be finding out there's so many of us out here, with such a great range of diversity.

I really just want to do a good thing, not cause any trouble. So, what does anyone think?

I'd like to thank those who've responded so far. Would anyone else like to vote or comment? This is really very helpful to me, so anything anyone has to say will be of benefit. Thanks again!! !

Solicit. All problems solved.