Autistic Voices in Transition, Part I

Published January 06, 2009 @ 11:28AM PT

person typing into AAC software on a computer the words NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US Obama has a powerful Agenda on Disabilities to provide education, end discrimination, increase employment, and support independent, community-based living.

On January 2, 2009, six autism-related disability organizations were invited to address the Obama transition team in a meeting lead by Kareem Dale, Disability Coordinator/Liaison in the Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs department. The topic of discussion was priority items that the Autism community would like addressed in national policy.

While this fact alone is promising, what truly sparks hope for change is that two of the six organizations, TASH and The Autistic Self Advocacy Network include self advocates in leadership roles. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network in particular is exclusively run by individuals on the autistic spectrum. Three cheers to Obama for including the voice of those stake holders most often barred from policy: For once, something about us WITH us!

The Autism Society of America gives a positive report on the meeting, saying "The new Administration seems sincere in its efforts and willingness to listen and act upon our concerns in an effort to improve the quality of life of those with Autism and the greater disabilities community."

I agree (with grinning and clapping!) with ASA's assessment. The inclusion of individuals on the autistic spectrum at the policy level is a great stride toward fulfilling Obama's promise "to empower individuals with disabilities in order to equalize opportunities for all Americans."

So what exactly were the recommendations by ASAN and TASH? That's what's coming up in Part II, later today!

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Comments (4)

I believe this is going to be a great year to finally provide any one the knowledge to understand anybody can do what they want to do. People with an ASD will prove to the world the weaknesses everybody has. Strengths and weaknesses are in everybody. For every weakness, we become more willing to learn to improve ourselves. Great Posting!

I look forward to more posts.

Posted by Jason Ross on 01/06/2009 @ 01:10PM PT
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@Jason Ross, thanks so much! I love especially your note, "For every weakness, we become more willing to learn to improve ourselves."

Posted by Dora Raymaker on 01/06/2009 @ 01:51PM PT
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Excellent that TASH and ASAN were involved.
Which were the other 4 (or 3?) organizations?
(You did say 6 first, rather than 5... which was it? Or is the number of participating organizations subject to quantum effects? :-))

AutCom (http://www.autcom.org), and the Asperger's Association of New England (http://www.aane.org), are two more organizations that have long had autistic people in significant governance roles. And it should be mentioned that the Autism Society of America has 3 autistic national board members and at least a couple dozen autistic people in governance positions in state and local chapters. (It was already that many in 2003, when I gave a presentation with Stephen Shore at that year's national ASA conference on the role of autistic people in the governance of autism organizations.)

Posted by Phil Schwarz on 01/06/2009 @ 09:20PM PT
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@Phil Schwarz, the involved organizaitons were Easter Seals, TASH, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Autism Speaks, and Dan Marino Foundation, Autism Society of America. 1, 2...6 total. (I really need to stay away from reporting on numbers, like, ALWAYS, as I'm severely LD in that area, ack!).

Is a copy of your presentation or slides available online? If so I'd love to see it!

Posted by Dora Raymaker on 01/07/2009 @ 09:48AM PT
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Dora is committed to improving quality of life for individuals on the autistic spectrum--including herself! She is Co-director of the Academic Autistic Spectrum Partnership in Research and Education and a member of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network's Board of Directors.