15 Jun 2011, 3:38 pm
Volume 1.3 | June 2011
From the Board | New Projects
We're pleased to report that ASAN has two new projects underway! The Daniel Jordan Fiddle (DJF) Foundation has generously provided a grant for a project called Empowering Autistic Leaders, which will educate Autistic college students about the history and laws relating to Americans with disabilities and will develop the skills needed by participants for effective advocacy on the campus. The University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability has invited ASAN to organize the self-advocacy strand for the 2011 Autism Summer Institute, to be presented August 8-10, 2011. Read more about these exciting initiatives below!
The DJF-ASAN Empowering Autistic Leaders Project
College students with disabilities often do not have the opportunity to take classes about the history of Americans with disabilities and the disability rights movement. Although they may receive accommodations, they are not taught how to advocate for better disability supports and services on their campus, let alone respond to systemic barriers and problematic attitudes that sometimes emerge in the college environment. By empowering Autistic leaders, we can improve access to higher education for all students on the spectrum as well as enhance personal self-advocacy skills. Through the DJF-ASAN Empowering Autistic Leaders Project, ASAN plans to create a handbook for Autistic college students who are interested in disability rights advocacy and campus-based systems change. Participants will learn how to organize Autistic-run student groups, will gain knowledge of disability history and disability laws, and will study and discuss strategies for effective systems change. We are hoping that through empowering individuals, we can bring about much-needed changes on college campuses and in society.
The 2011 Autism Summer Institute at the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability
The University of New Hampshire’s Autism Summer Institute has contracted with ASAN to run a conference strand on self-advocacy for Autistic teens and young adults. The Autism Summer Institute is a program presented annually by the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability, the University Center on Developmental Disability (UCEDD) for the State of New Hampshire. At this conference, families, educators, community service providers, and self-advocates learn how they can effectively promote inclusion in the schools and elsewhere.
Literacy instruction and assistive technology for communication are featured in this year’s program. There will be three strands addressing this theme: one for parents and educators of young children, another for parents and educators of elementary and middle school students, and the self-advocacy strand organized by ASAN for adolescents and young adults. ASAN’s self-advocacy strand will focus on issues like understanding relevant disability laws, speaking up for yourself when requesting accommodations, the benefits of accessing Autistic culture and community and preparing for higher education and employment after transitioning out of high school. We look forward to connecting with the next generation of Autistic leaders in New Hampshire. If you’re interested in being involved, please consider registering at the UNH IOD website at: https://www.events.unh.edu/Registration ... nt_id=8633 .
Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic
by Melody Latimer
In recent years, we have been presented with many Autism documentaries, series and segments across all forms of media. Many of these often focus on individual lives, other people's negative feelings or are filled with stereotypes and damaging rhetoric. It was with this understanding that I timidly began to watch Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic.
Todd Drezner is the father of an Autistic boy who was diagnosed a few short years ago. Shortly after, he traveled to seek out the two main embattled groups within the Autism community, the "recovery" movement and the Neurodiversity community. He interviewed countless people on both sides of the great divide and what comes out is nothing short of spectacular.
Many prominent figures from the Neurodiversity community are put in the spotlight. Everyone from Kristina Chew to Dora Raymaker to Sharisa Kochmeister are given a chance to talk about their Autistic experiences. As well, parents at the National Autism Association annual conference, including Jenny McCarthy, are given their chance to explain how their children have been "cured" from supposed biomedical treatments. What becomes resoundingly clear is that the greatest difference between the two communities is how they feel about their children and Autistics themselves. The Autistic community comes out feeling like a much brighter path for those with the disability. While Autistics may not be normal or live up to society's expectations, many who were given acceptance and accommodation throughout their lifetime have great and happy lives.
As a parent as well as an Autistic adult, I felt touched by the simplicity of this documentary. Just showing the lives of Autistic adults, what we can accomplish, meant that Autism isn't a horrible disorder or—as some believe—disease. Then the stark contrast of the negative light in which many see the same exact condition created a deep sadness. For either side of the line, or those in the grey area, I feel this is probably one of the most, if not the most, important documentary, showing what Autism is, for anyone to see.
Full synopsis
As autism has exploded into the public consciousness over the last 20 years, two opposing questions have been asked about the condition fueling the debate: is it a devastating sickness to be cured or is it a variation of the human brain – just a different way to be human? LOVING LAMPPOSTS: LIVING AUTISTIC takes a look at two movements: the “recovery movement,” which views autism as a tragic epidemic brought on by environmental toxins, and the “neurodiversity movement,” which argues that autism should be accepted and that autistic people should be supported. After his son’s diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner visits the front lines of the autism wars to learn more about the debate and provide information about a condition that is still difficult to comprehend. www.lovinglamppostsmovie.com
Autism Acceptance Day | Autistry
by Melanie Yergeau
On Saturday, April 2, ASAN-Central Ohio held a literary reading and art showing, titled Autistry, in observance of Autism Acceptance Day. Columbus-area autistic people shared their poetry, prose, and dramatic writing, and performed a dramatic reading of Jim Sinclair's Don't Mourn for Us.
The event took place during Columbus's Gallery Hop, a monthly art gallery event that attracts thousands of visitors. During the reading, dozens of spectators came in and out to listen to posautive perspectives on autism.
Photos are available on our Flickr site.
On a personal note, our chapter found this to be an extremely rewarding and empowering event, something we hope to do again in the future. We had planned readers (i.e., those who indicated that they would read in advance), as well as open mic time. The coffee house also let us reserve their meeting room, which was separate from the stage -- which we designated as a quiet room for anyone who needed it. Altogether, we had five readers. Some of us read personal writing, while others recited favorite poems or read their favorite disability rights essays. During intermissions especially, we found ourselves drawn into long and fruitful conversations with coffee house patrons, many of whom just came in off the street. It was a wonderful way to celebrate autistic culture and to talk with people about the disability rights movement.
Cafe Press | Autistic Victory
by Lauren Gilbert
Many autism advocates look forward to April. It’s recognized as Autism Awareness Month, and artistic activists in particular see an increase in traffic to their online stores. For some, it is extra income; for others, an opportunity to raise money for autism-related organizations. So when CafePress announced it’s intent to donate 10% of the proceeds from items tagged with “autism” as a keyword to Autism Speaks, it may be a surprise to people that quite a few sellers, buyers, and advocates – many of whom are Autistic themselves – objected to this fundraising opportunity.
Autism Speaks has long been one of the most prominent autism organizations in the media. Meanwhile, it’s long been disdained by Autistics and advocates who find their negative stereotypes, fear-mongering, and financial priorities and practices offensive. The lack of Autistics on their board contradicts the notion that they are speaking “for” autism. Unfortunately, their ability to fund highly visible campaigns is better than the organizations struggling to promote a positive message about autism. As a result, most of mainstream society is unaware that there is any other way to think about autism.
With these inequities in mind, the news went viral among self-advocates and their like-minded peers. Through social media and blogs, they expressed their frustration that, yet again, the voice of Autistics was being ignored. That was when letters started pouring in to CafePress.
CafePress, likely believing that Autism Speaks’ message and mission could only be a good thing, found that their good intentions had missed the mark: A large group of sellers wanted to opt out or even close their stores in protest, and many customers did not want to support Autism Speaks by buying CafePress’ autism products.
CafePress not only recognized the issue, but proceeded to run a poll to find a second organization to benefit. Furthermore, they actually split this year’s proceeds between Autism Speaks, and the winning group, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN). ASAN is an organization run for – and by – Autistics. Additionally, shopkeepers were shown how to opt-out of the fundraiser.
At this time, CafePress also states that they will open a poll during the month preceding 2012’s Autism Awareness Month in order to help determine which charities would be supported by proceeds, and allow shopkeepers to opt out altogether. While they do reserve “every right to change the nature of this promotion, or eliminate it all together,” the swift action in response and the democratic way in which it resolved the issue – including a change in the program in the middle of its run – is a sign of good faith.
"We were pleased that CafePress heard the voices of their customer base and responded as quickly as they did to our concerns," said ASAN President Ari Ne'eman, who worked closely with CafePress throughout the month. In an open letter addressed to its president, ASAN thanked Ari for his efforts, and everyone who participated in this amazing grassroots effort: “Keep up the good work and, as always, Nothing About Us, Without Us!”
In the News
by Meg Evans
Abusive Restraint Reported at Mississippi School
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is investigating reports that children at Capital City Alternative School have been handcuffed to a pole and sometimes left alone for hours, to punish them for violations of school rules as minor as forgetting to wear a belt. The SPLC is calling on the Jackson School Board to issue a policy condemning such practices and to provide more training to school personnel. More details at National School Boards Association website.
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Companies Urged to Improve Employment for Americans with Disabilities
In addressing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Corporate Disability Employment Summit on April 12, 2011, Sen. Tom Harkin pointed to alarming statistics showing that workers with disabilities have lost jobs in the recession at a much higher rate than the general population. He urged companies to take action to significantly increase the number of adults with disabilities participating in the labor force. Read Sen. Harkin's speech here.
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Internship Guide for Students with Disabilities
The National Consortium on Leadership and Disability for Youth has prepared a guide to the internship process for students with disabilities. It explains the process in detail and includes disability-specific information, such as how to arrange for bringing a personal assistant to an internship. There are many reference materials in the guide, including career planning worksheets, sample letters and resumes, and links to helpful websites.
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Career Planning Website from U.S. Department of Labor
People looking to start a career may want to check out My Next Move, a career information and planning tool recently launched by the U.S. Department of Labor. It allows visitors to search for job information either by keywords or by industry, and it also provides a survey form that suggests careers based on a person's interests and training.
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U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Releases Rules
New rules implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) have been released. The law, enacted in 2008 with broad support from many groups including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, provides greater protection for Autistic workers and others with less visible disabilities by ensuring that people who rely on "mitigating measures," such as assistive technology, are not excluded from its coverage. Read more at the White House blog.
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Keeping All Students Safe Act
For the second successive year, legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to prevent the abusive use of restraints and seclusion in America's schools. The Keeping All Students Safe Act would establish federal safety standards, require states to develop policies and procedures to meet the standards, provide grants for training of school personnel, and collect data to be made publicly available.
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Special Offer | Loving Lampposts: Living Autistic
SPECIAL OFFER for ASAN Newsletter readers
This special discount offer is valid for the month of June (Today - 6/30/2011) and only available at Cinema Libre Store. At check out, enter the code LAMPPOST for $3 off the purchase price.
AASPIRE Seeks Participants
The Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership In Research and Education (AASPIRE) brings together the academic community and the autistic community to develop and perform research projects relevant to the needs of adults on the autistic spectrum. Our partnership adheres to the principles of Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR or PAR), whereby researchers and community members serve as equal partners throughout the research process. The special skills, expertise, and perspective that each community offers to the project as a whole is the strength of Community Based Participatory Research.
AASPIRE is currently seeking more participants for research studies that are important to the lives of Autistic adults. AASPIRE especially needs male participation. If you are interested in furthering this research initiative, please visit the AASPIRE website to sign up.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has been a proud partner of the AASPIRE project since 2009.
Chapter Spotlight
Dallas-Ft. Worth
by Melody Latimer
ASAN-DFW has been making some great changes to reach out to more Autistic people across the DFW metroplex. We have just changed to meetings at the Arc of Dallas to give more privacy as well as a more central location. We will be working closely with The Arc in the coming months to present more information on self-advocacy, self-determination and leadership skills.
As well, we have been in talks with TEA Region 10 to present a self-advocacy series to Autistic high school students. We will be presenting information for local high schools and senior highs to take back to their district. For those who chose to run the program, it would be an after-school program and teach self advocacy and self determination, give options of post-school options and explain the types of services for Autistic adults. This is a very exciting to us as we hope to reach students who previously have rarely been taught these skills.
Visit us at Meetup.com
Portland
by Elesia Ashkenazy
ASAN-PDX was honored to have ASAN President, Ari Ne'eman, come to speak while he was recently in town for a National Council on Disability event. He spoke about how to contact a local senator or representative about legislation that effects Autistic adults. Ari broke down the topic into simple steps, and involved ASAN-PDXers in a skit where he became a fictional senator and walked participants through how to go about expressing views on legislation and making simple points to get the message across. Ari left ASAN-PDX with new tools and motivation. Work groups have already been formed, and many members are riding on the coattails of his enthusiasm. Thank you, Ari!
Comments from a few attendees:
"This was my first ASAN-PDX meeting. While I'm not ready to plunge into different advocate roles, I was quite impressed with Ari and the whole group as to why people on the spectrum should be self-advocates. Positive, self-affirming, non-sappy message that we are "different, not less than." Thanks for the meeting and the guest speaker."
"This was my first meet-up. Elesia was elegant, and was attuned to the attendees as she started the meeting with the "ice breaker" (which asked us for descriptions of what ASAN means to us.) Ari was amazing! He's attuned; funny; easy-going; and communicates superbly. He actively sought-out responses from attendees, and made us feel that we actually could make a difference."
Nothing About Us Without Us! Go ASAN-PDX!
Visit us at Meetup.com
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a non-profit organization run by and for Autistic people, fighting for disability rights in the world of autism. Working in fields such as public policy, media representation, research and systems change, ASAN hopes to empower Autistic people across the world to take control of their own lives and the future of our common community.
