Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

@autisticadvocacy.org

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The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. https://autisticadvocacy.org/

Purple and orange textured background. There's a silhouette of a person with a magnifying glass. Text reads: ASAN is searching for our missing members! Could you be one of them? ASAN made a big move to a new donation platform that will allow us to put more of our time and your generous gifts towards the work that matters. But during the move, a technical error deleted some of our monthly members and we’re trying to get them back!

Text appears in front of protest to protect Medicaid. The text reads "Speak Up, Show Up: A Town Hall on Medicaid Cuts. Tuesday, July 14 at 4pm PT/7pm ET via Zoom." At the bottom are the logos for Caring Across Generations, AAPD, The Arc, ASAN, Little Lobbyists, and Access Living.

Watercolor orange background. Text reads: We need you to take IACCtion! Take action by submitting comments for the next IACC meeting by July 17th! IACC is a government group that makes important choices about autism research funding. The next IACC meeting is July 31st. You can share thoughts on autism research by sending a public comment!
Learn more and take action today!

Orange gradient background with large light orange stripes going across in different directions. There is a light blue diagonal stripe in the top left corner. In large blue text, “New Blog Post!” goes across one of the orange stripes near the top. There’s a quote box that is light blue with rounded corners, inside is the quote, “This piece is for the autistic people who have been told, by themselves or others, that they are grieving incorrectly. It is for the people whose grief arrived three years late, or in fragments at the wrong moments, or who still don’t know whether what they’re feeling is grief or something else.” Across a lower orange stripe is the text: Libby Banks — Autistic Grief: You’re Not Doing It Wrong

Orange textured background with blue and orange circles across the page in various shades and sizes. Text reads: We’re Hiring! We’re looking for a Deputy Director of Programs! Full job posting on our website!

Orange textured background. There’s an image of the United States with 6 states in dark blue: Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, and Texas. Text reads: Do you live in Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, or Texas? We need you to take action to protect disability rights!

Moving the Department of Education Offices Will Hurt Disabled Students

Dark blue background with white text that reads: ASAN Executive Director Colin Killick responds to NYT "Autism Clinics Pursue Profits From Preschoolers”

Watercolor rainbow background. There’s a light box with large blue text that reads: Happy Pride Month! There is a waving intersex inclusive progress pride flag (on the left side, there is a yellow triangle with a purple circle in it. There are triangular stripes going out from there in white, pink, blue, brown and black.)

Textured grey background. There is a picture of Stacey, a mixed race Korean and white person outside. She has short dark hair, glasses, a white and blue striped shirt, and has a visible trach tube. Text reads: Remembering Stacey Park Milbern. “I think about crip ancestorship often…I believe that our ancestors laugh, cry, hurt, rage, celebrate with us. Most importantly, I believe they learn as we are learning, just as we learn from them. We grow knowledge and movements with them. We crip futurism with them….When we become ancestors, we will also continue to learn.” On this day in 2020, we lost Stacey Park Milbern, a fierce advocate and activist who taught us about disability justice, love, organizing, and so much more.

Textured orange gradient background. Text reads: Myth: “The lawsuit is about the ADA” Fact: This lawsuit only talks about Section 504. But, the ADA and Section 504 have similar protections. The ADA could be in danger if the court says this 505 regulation does not follow the constitution. Because the court is talking about the integration mandate in Texas v. Kennedy, other judges might also have the same questions. It's possible that those judges could feel the same way about the ADA and could discuss that.

Textured blue background. There’s a photo of Teighlor McGee, a Black person wearing a yellow cardigan, with red hair smiling, in the bottom right corner. Text reads: Get ready to apply for the Teighlor McGee Mini Grant Program with two upcoming webinars! “What is a Fiscal Sponsor?” Webinar. Tuesday, May 5 at 4:00PM ET. Application Walkthrough Webinar. Thursday, May 15 at 4:00PM ET.

Orange and yellow gradient background. Text reads: What are some issues with the term AAPI?
Some people don’t like the term AAPI. Some people feel like the term is too broad as it covers too many different groups of people. Others point out that even though the term is supposed to cover all people from the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora, it is often used to talk about certain populations (like East Asians such as Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans) and some populations are invisibilized (like Pacific Islanders, Southeast Asians, South Asians, Central Asians, and Western Asians). Don’t use AAPI if you are only talking about Asians and excluding Pacific Islanders. If a group prefers another term like APIDA or AANHPI, use that instead of AAPI.

Dark blue background. Text is across the slide with a dashed line, styled like a timeline. Text reads: HHS’ Assault on Autistic People and Public Health. Full plain language and formal language timeline at autisticadvocacy.org/autism-hhs-and-public-health. The ASAN and AAPD logos are at the bottom.

Orange gradient background with large light orange stripes going across in different directions. There is a light blue diagonal stripe in the top left corner. In large blue text, “New Blog Post!” goes across one of the orange stripes near the top. There’s a quote box that is light blue with rounded corners, inside is the quote, “Access to safe foods is a disability issue, and a bodily autonomy issue...When you have SNAP food limitations, the government is telling many disabled people that they can’t have the more accessible food options.” Across a lower orange stripe is the text: Steph Baldassarre — Safe Foods are Access, not Failure

Textured blue background. There’s a photo of Teighlor McGee, a Black person wearing a yellow cardigan, with red hair smiling, in the bottom right corner. Text reads: Join us for What is the Teighlor McGee Mini Grant Program? Before applications open! The Teighlor McGee Mini Grant program honors Teighlor McGee’s legacy of empowering grassroots disability work and uplifting self-advocates of color. At this info session, you’ll learn what the program is, who can apply, and how to get started. Tuesday, April 21 4:00PM ET

Blue textured background. There’s a grey square with text and a photo. The photo is of Mel Baggs (a white person with glasses, long dark hair, and a hat). Text reads: Remembering Mel Baggs. “If you have ever existed, then some place in time, you always exist.” On this day in 2020, we lost Mel Baggs, a fierce advocate and blogger. Sie was a real, vibrant, and valuable part of our community whose legacy is one of reminding everyone of their own value too.

Watercolor red and orange background. There’s an illustration of a red ribbon on the right side. Text reads: Today is National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day. National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day (NYHAAD) happens every April 10th. The day is meant to urge policymakers and the public to take action regarding the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people.

White background with a light blue textured banner with a wavy edge at the top and bottom of the page. Inside the top banner text reads: Join ASAN & The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies for. In the middle area reads: Heat Emergencies and You. Heat emergencies can be scary and hard to navigate, especially if you don’t have a plan. But what counts as extreme heat, and why does that matter for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities?
In the bottom left corner, text reads: Thursday, April 30th, 4pm ET. The ASAN and Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies logos are in the bottom right corner.

Blue textured background. There’s a black and white photo of disabled protesters (some in wheelchairs) entering the HEW building. Text reads: 504 Sit-in. Let’s look back at disability history! Today is the anniversary of the start of the 504 sit-in. On April 5th, 1977, disabled activists led sit-ins at Housing, Education, and Welfare (HEW) buildings across the country. They were calling for the government to implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Protesters entering the HEW building.
Image credit: The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

Grey gradient background. In the bottom right corner, there is a picture of Teighlor, a Black person wearing a yellow cardigan, with red hair smiling. Text reads: Remembering Teighlor McGee. Today we remember Teighlor McGee, who we lost on this day in 2022. Teighlor was an incredible advocate who fought for a better world. She founded and ran the Black Disability Collective, a group which advocates for and champions the lives of Black disabled people. At ASAN, Teighlor was a crucial part of creating and planning for our Mini Grants program, which is why the program is named in their honor. As a tribute to their legacy, our mini grants program honors Teighlor’s grassroots advocacy work, and how they lifted the voices of self-advocates of color.

White background. There’s a blue puzzle piece with an orange circle crossing it out. Text reads: Before you donate to Autism Speaks, Consider the facts.

Dark purple textured background. In the top right corner, there are three illustrated orange viruses. Below, there’s an illustrated N95 respirator with blue headloop straps. Text reads: The Why and How of Fighting Mask Bans. A plain language blog brought to you by ASAN and COVID Safe Campus. The logos for COVID Safe Campus and ASAN are at the bottom.

Blue watercolor background with a black and white photo of Judy Heumann – a white woman with glasses talking into a microphone, wearing a sticker that says “Sign 504” – in the bottom right corner. Text at the top reads: Remembering Judy Heumann. In a blue box, white text reads: “Some people say that what I did changed the world. But really, I simply refused to accept what I was told about who I could be. And I was willing to make a fuss about it.” Text below reads: On this day in 2023, we lost Judy Heumann, a pioneering disability rights activist. Her legacy – from the 504 sit-in to her work to pass other legislation like the ADA – is one that we look to and continue to learn from.

Orange gradient background with large light orange stripes going across in different directions. There is a light blue diagonal stripe in the top left corner. In large blue text, “New Blog Post!” goes across one of the orange stripes near the top. There’s a quote box that is light blue with rounded corners, inside is the quote, “I am an autistic adult with ADHD (AuDHD), and I am also a nurse practitioner. I have been a patient who felt rushed, talked over, dismissed, misunderstood, and overwhelmed. I have also been the provider who saw how small, intentional changes could dramatically improve care for my patients.” Across a lower orange stripe is the text: Self-Advocacy for Autistic Adults in Medical Settings by Carrie Friedman

Blue textured background. At the bottom, there is a map of the US where the following states are highlighted orange: Alaska, Montana, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Indiana, Texas, Louisiana, and Florida.
Text reads: SO HOW CAN WE STOP THIS? We need people who live in the 9 states suing to contact your Governor and your State Attorney General and urge them to drop your state out of this case.
Texas v Kennedy came from a prior case called Texas v Becerra where 17 states were suing over Section 504; 8 states dropped out because people pressured their Governors and State AGs! Public pressure works!
These are the 9 states suing the US government in Texas v Kennedy: Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, and Texas.