I've just incorporated, and am in the beginning stages of establishing, a nonprofit organization for adults with AS/ASD and learning disabilities. I have a NV learning disability with overlapping autistic tendencies, my teenage son has AS and my husband a mild form of AS.
I've actually had the idea for quite some time, but have never really been in the position to focus on it, financially and time-wise. Now that I am, I'm anxious to really get rolling with it. I've always had a great deal of difficulty with all jobs I've ever had, despite my best efforts and despite my high verbal IQ (the five words I fear the most are "we need to discuss some "issues"). Here are my ideas for the organization and what I'd like it to focus on:
Support and advocacy for adults with these conditions, especially in the areas of employment, education, and discrimination; career counseling to determine the best fits for not just the particular condition, but the specific individual with that condition, since no two people with ANY condition are alike; peer support; employer awareness and education programs; college awareness and education programs; public awareness and education campaigns; legal assistance for such adults, primarily in employment matters but also to include social, housing and education discrimination. And, in the future once things get established, I'd also like to set up a separate branch of the organization that would be responsible for legislative and political advocacy.
There's much more that could be done as well, once it gets going. Since my state, SD, is one of the seven states that is not a member of the National Council of Nonprofits, and there's little state info or support, I will have to rely on both my own abilities and on the national nonprofit association and North Dakota's branch, which is very established and active and which includes many SD nonprofits in its programs and activities; I'm only ten miles or so from the ND border and my husband actually works in North Dakota. While it is, in a way, frightening to have to be thrown out into the ocean on my own in this, it's also kind of exciting. I get to establish and develop it from the ground up, without the encumbrance of having to ask permission to do or begin a certain program, etc.
I'm a paralegal who knows nonprofit and business law, I'm an excellent writer and communicator with some public speaking and presentation experience and I'm also well-versed in grant research and writing. There are several foundations that provide grants for start-up nonprofits, especially those planning on going national, which is what I'm doing. I will also rely on membership fees, donations, future fundraising campaigns and presentation admission fees. I have just incorporated it and am in the process of applying for a federal tax identification number and for nonprofit tax exemption with the IRS. Once I get the EIN, I will obtain a separate phone number for the organization. I will also be sending out a press release to the nearest city (I live in a very rural area), and will attempt to set up a first meeting of those interested in joining and forming the first group.
As much as I absolutely hate FAAAS, I have to give them at least some credit. I'd had the idea for so long and was always kicking it around in the back of my mind. But when I read about that hate group and the damage they're doing against adults with AS, and the fact that so many so-called "professionals" were onboard with them doing their dirty work for them, and when my husband's ex-wife kept trying to send me their BS, particularly their "Cassandra Affective Disorder" nonsense, and when I saw how they perpetuated the negative stigma and discrimination and when I saw that they actually gave information on how to use a spouse's AS against them in divorce and custody cases, THAT was the final straw that really motivated me to get off my duff and do this and be serious about it.
I know, personally, the desperate need for this and I've also been reading so many posts here these past several months that confirm it. There are very, very few groups for us adults with these conditions, and most of those that do exist are for parents and families and not the people themselves. It's as if we don't even matter, as if what we deal with every single day of our lives doesn't count, that the only thing that does count is how it affects those around us. Well, it's time to change that, isn't it? Time to quit complaining about Autism Speaks and FAAAS and Generation "Rescue" and their ilk and DO SOMETHING OURSELVES. I invite you all to join me. I invite your feedback and what you'd like the group to do. Here, so far, is the contact information:
Learning Enabled, Inc.
P.O. Box 655
McLaughlin SD 57642
[email protected]As I said, I don't yet have a separate phone number, but I will, soon. Please let me hear from you. Let's get going!! !
Well, that's a start. Have you gotten a federal non-profit number yet?
I am a marketing specialist, and have already offered to support anyone willing to do this. If you want my help, please contact me.
25 Mar 2008, 3:32 pm
