The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Outreach & Advocacy
Resource Library
About the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Mission Statement: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. Drawing on the principles of the cross-disability community, ASAN seeks to organize the community of Autistic adults and youth to have our voices heard in the national conversation about us. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which Autistic people enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities as all other citizens. We hope to empower Autistic people across the world to take control of our own lives and the future of our common community. Nothing About Us, Without Us!

Who are we? The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for Autistic people. ASAN's supporters include Autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators and friends. ASAN was created to provide support and services to individuals on the autism spectrum while working to educate communities and improve public perceptions of autism. Our activities include public policy advocacy, community engagement to encourage inclusion and respect for neurodiversity, quality of life oriented research, and the development of Autistic cultural activities. Read More->...

Are you an Autistic college student with a strong interest in disability rights? Click here to apply for our leadership training program!

News Alerts and Organizational Initiatives
Autism Campus Inclusion Leadership Training: The Autistic Self Advocacy Network with the help of the Mitsubishi Electric American Foundation is launching a new leadership training program for Autistic college students. Click here for more information and an application form.

The Loud Hands Project: An upcoming anthology entitled Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking will focus on empowering the Autistic community and celebrating Autistic culture and resilience. Click here to visit the project's website and to show your support.

Grant Reviewers Needed: Federal funders are working with ASAN to identify Autistic adults and others with disabilities to serve on federal grant review panels. Read more here.

Personality Tests Investigated: Employers' use of personality tests to screen job applicants may discriminate against workers with disabilities. Read more about our investigation and how you can help by telling ASAN about your experiences with personality tests.

Navigating College Handbook: A first-of-its-kind resource written by Autistic adults for Autistic college students, Navigating College presents uniquely accessible and relevant insights. Read more at NavigatingCollege.org, our dedicated website addressing autism and college issues. To order print copies, please visit the University of New Hampshire's IOD Bookstore, or for more information or questions about bulk orders, contact Melody Latimer. Our Navigating College flyer can be downloaded here.

Paid Internships Available: ASAN is working with Freddie Mac, a leading mortgage finance company, to recruit qualified applicants on the autism spectrum who have backgrounds in statistics, mathematics, economics, computer science or information technology. All internships will be based in the DC Metro area and may lead to further opportunities with the company. Details here on how to apply.

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ASAN Featured in the Media
Mistreatment of Autistic Student: ASAN intern Lydia Brown and ASAN volunteer Landon Bryce were quoted in an Associated Press article in which they both discussed the need for respectful treatment of students with disabilities. The article, describing an incident in which a teacher put an Autistic child in a duffel bag in a school hallway, can be read on national news sites including MSNBC.com and CBSnews.com. To sign the petition against abuse started by Lydia Brown on Change.org, which has more than 150,000 signatures, click here.

ASAN's Anniversary Event: Our 5-Year Anniversary Celebration, held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., was a great success! Our featured speakers included Assistant Secretary of Education Alexa Posny and Administration on Developmental Disabilities Commissioner Sharon Lewis. Click here for details and photos of the event as reported in the Washington Times.

Combating Autism Act Extension Controversy: ASAN President Ari Ne'eman discussed our opposition to extending the flawed Combating Autism Act, which failed to address the urgent need for services across the lifespan and did not involve self-advocates in research and planning. The legislation created an unbalanced research agenda in which less than one percent of autism research dollars were spent to fund studies addressing the needs of Autistic adults.

Autism Acceptance Day: ASAN staffer Paula C. Durbin-Westby and ASAN Board Member Melanie Yergeau explained in an interview why autism awareness is not enough in itself -- understanding and acceptance are vital to bringing about a world in which Autistic citizens are equal members of society.

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All funds donated will go towards our programming activities to help empower the autistic community.

Copyright 2011 The Autistic Self Advocacy Network