We are continuing to work toward passage of the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247, S. 2860) to protect students from abuse. More Senate co-sponsors are needed -- see the Action Alert below. Please call if you can!
Hello,
On behalf of APRAIS (the Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion), the Autistic Self Advocacy Network along with other APRAIS organizations is encouraging you to contact your congressional representatives during our National Call-In Day on February 26, 2010 and tell them to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247, S. 2860).
Recently, the House Committee on Education and Labor voted H.R. 4247 out of committee with a vote of 35 to 10. Your hard work has certainly made a difference, but we need your continued efforts to advance this important legislation. Specifically, we need your assistance to get the bill moved to the floor for a full House vote and to obtain Co-sponsors for the Senate version, S. 2860.
Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act in the Senate, but we need to increase the number of Senate Co-Sponsors and get this bill out of committee as soon as possible. Once passed, this legislation will provide students with and without disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Ask your Congressional Representative to Co-sponsor H.R. 4247 and your Senators to Co-Sponsor S. 2860 on Friday, February 26th!!
To find out the names of your US Senators and Representative, go to http://www.congress.org/
Dial the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the offices of your US Senators and Representative
Ask to speak to the person working on education issues
Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any)
Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Action. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
More Action Needed on Restraint & Seclusion Bill
The Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) is going to committee Thursday, Feb. 4th. More phone calls to representatives are needed immediately to keep strong protections for students in the legislation. There will be a live webcast from the Education and Labor Committee website at 11:00 am Eastern time.
Hello,
We have just been informed that H.R. 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act is going to be marked up by the House Education and Labor Committee this coming Thursday. In order to avoid amendments to the legislation that could potentially weaken the bill's ability to protect students, it is important we send a clear message to Congress to pass H.R. 4247 and to keep it strong. This is a crucial period for the legislation and we're urging all of you to call your Representatives before Thursday to tell them to co-sponsor and support the bill.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Call your Congressional representative to co-sponsor H.R. 4247. Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to participate too!
To find out the names of your Representative, visit http://www.congress.org/ and type in your zip code.
The names of your Representatives will be located on the left side of the page under President & Congress.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your representative. You can provide them with your zip code if you do not know his or her name.
Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any).
If you have a restraint and seclusion story, please give them some of the details so they understand why these bills are so important.
Message:
For your Representative: “I am calling to urge (your Representative) to cosponsor HR 4247, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools. HR 4247 is being marked up this Thursday, and your support can help make sure it passes and remains strong. Currently, seventeen states have no protections whatsoever against the use of harmful restraint and seclusion in schools. HR 4247 would create a basic floor of protection and fund teacher training to protect children and keep our schools safe.”
Thank you for your efforts and please keep up the good work! Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Edit: The bill was reported favorably to the full House by a vote of 35-10. Many thanks to everyone who helped by calling their representatives about it!
Hello,
We have just been informed that H.R. 4247, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act is going to be marked up by the House Education and Labor Committee this coming Thursday. In order to avoid amendments to the legislation that could potentially weaken the bill's ability to protect students, it is important we send a clear message to Congress to pass H.R. 4247 and to keep it strong. This is a crucial period for the legislation and we're urging all of you to call your Representatives before Thursday to tell them to co-sponsor and support the bill.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Call your Congressional representative to co-sponsor H.R. 4247. Encourage your friends, family, and coworkers to participate too!
To find out the names of your Representative, visit http://www.congress.org/ and type in your zip code.
The names of your Representatives will be located on the left side of the page under President & Congress.
Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak to your representative. You can provide them with your zip code if you do not know his or her name.
Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any).
If you have a restraint and seclusion story, please give them some of the details so they understand why these bills are so important.
Message:
For your Representative: “I am calling to urge (your Representative) to cosponsor HR 4247, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools. HR 4247 is being marked up this Thursday, and your support can help make sure it passes and remains strong. Currently, seventeen states have no protections whatsoever against the use of harmful restraint and seclusion in schools. HR 4247 would create a basic floor of protection and fund teacher training to protect children and keep our schools safe.”
Thank you for your efforts and please keep up the good work! Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Edit: The bill was reported favorably to the full House by a vote of 35-10. Many thanks to everyone who helped by calling their representatives about it!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Restraint & Seclusion National Call-In Day - Contact Your Members of Congress
Please repost and distribute the announcement below, which explains how to contact your members of Congress on Thursday, January 21st, to ask for their support in preventing abusive restraint and seclusion in the schools.
Dear Friends, Advocates and Community Members,
In one week, Congress will come back in session. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), in conjunction with the Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS), is asking you to join us in a National Call-In Day on Thursday, January 21st to tell your members of Congress to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S.2860) introduced last month by Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). This legislation would provide students with and without disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools. We are providing details on how to contact your members of Congress -- please distribute this announcement widely.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please call this coming Thursday and encourage your friends, family and coworkers to participate by dialing the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and asking for your Congressional representative to Co-Sponsor H.R. 4247, and your senators to Co-Sponsor S. 2860.
• To find out the names of your US Senators and Representative, click here (link to www.congress.org)
• Ask for the offices of your US Senators and Representative
• Ask to speak to the person working on education issues
• Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any)
Message: “ I am calling to urge (Senator y) to cosponsor S.2860, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools.”
Message: “I am calling to urge (Representative z) to cosponsor HR 4247, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools.”
Thanks for your advocacy. Increasing congressional support for these bills will help move them through the legislative process towards enactment. Please call on January 21, 2010 and tell your friends and family to join you. If you are interested in doing more, please e-mail us at info@autisticadvocacy.org for information about how you can arrange a meeting with your representatives to explain why this bill is essential or visit www.tash.org/aprais to learn more.
Regards,
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the APRAIS Coalition
Dear Friends, Advocates and Community Members,
In one week, Congress will come back in session. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), in conjunction with the Alliance to Prevent Restraint, Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS), is asking you to join us in a National Call-In Day on Thursday, January 21st to tell your members of Congress to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S.2860) introduced last month by Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT). This legislation would provide students with and without disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools. We are providing details on how to contact your members of Congress -- please distribute this announcement widely.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please call this coming Thursday and encourage your friends, family and coworkers to participate by dialing the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and asking for your Congressional representative to Co-Sponsor H.R. 4247, and your senators to Co-Sponsor S. 2860.
• To find out the names of your US Senators and Representative, click here (link to www.congress.org)
• Ask for the offices of your US Senators and Representative
• Ask to speak to the person working on education issues
• Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you represent (if any)
Message: “ I am calling to urge (Senator y) to cosponsor S.2860, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools.”
Message: “I am calling to urge (Representative z) to cosponsor HR 4247, legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools.”
Thanks for your advocacy. Increasing congressional support for these bills will help move them through the legislative process towards enactment. Please call on January 21, 2010 and tell your friends and family to join you. If you are interested in doing more, please e-mail us at info@autisticadvocacy.org for information about how you can arrange a meeting with your representatives to explain why this bill is essential or visit www.tash.org/aprais to learn more.
Regards,
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the APRAIS Coalition
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Action Alert on Autistic Child Charged with Felony
As a consequence of a school restraint incident, an 11-year old Autistic boy in Arkansas named Zakhqurey Price has been charged with felony assault. There were no serious injuries, and the incident occurred under circumstances where the use of restraint would not have been legal if recently introduced federal civil rights legislation to protect children in schools had been in effect. Please take action by contacting the school principal and superintendent to inform them of your concerns and, if you can, repost the ASAN Action Alert set forth below.
Hello,
In the past, we've written to you about advocacy issues relating to the rights of adults and youth on the autism spectrum. Our voices have made a difference on all manner of policy concerns and have sent a clear message that those who seek to deprive Autistic people of any age of their rights will have our community to answer to. Now we'd like to ask you to help us take action to help protect an 11-year old Autistic boy in Arkansas named Zakhqurey Price, currently being charged with felony assault after fighting back when two staff members restrained him in response to behavioral challenges. The school has ignored repeated efforts from Zakh's grandmother over the course of the last five months to obtain needed IEP supports to improve his educational options and manage his behavioral difficulties.
According to the suspension notice, the restraint was in response to Zakh destroying school property - something beyond the scope of what would be allowed under recently introduced federal civil rights legislation around restraint and seclusion in schools. Disability advocates, including ASAN, are fighting to pass this crucial legislation that would broaden the protections available to students like Zakh as well as those with other disabilities and with no disability at all. We have asked for your help in passing this important legislation, and together we can succeed in bringing proposed civil rights protections into law - but not in time to help Zakh. That is why we need you to take action now. Find out how below:
School Principal:
Pam Siebenmorgan (One of the charging parties in Zakh's felony hearing - polite but firm calls and e-mails encouraging her to drop the charges would be helpful)
Phone: 479-646-0834
E-mail: psiebenm@fortsmithschools.org
School Superintendent:
Dr. Benny Gooden (The Superintendent runs the entire school district - polite but firm calls and e-mails communicating how this situation is damaging Fort Smith Public Schools' reputation would be helpful as well)
E-mail: bgooden@fortsmithschools.org
School Board Office: 1-479-785-2501 Ext. 1201
We recommend that you both e-mail and call if you can. If necessary, e-mail is the preferable option. If you would like your e-mails to be passed along to Zakh's grandmother, please bcc: info@autisticadvocacy.org. Please stress the importance of Fort Smith Public Schools taking the following steps:
-Drop the charges against Zakhqurey Price
-Work with his grandmother to put in place an IEP that will fulfill Zakh's right for a Free and Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment
-Improve training for school personnel to prevent future such incidents and to ensure that students on the autism spectrum as well as with other disabilities are included, supported and educated in Fort Smith Public Schools.
If Zakh is declared incompetent as part of the hearing scheduled for January 12th, state law requires that he be placed into a mental hospital for at least 30 days. His grandmother fears that, due to the negative repercussions of being taken out of the community and being forced into an institutional setting, Zakh may lose skills in such an environment and not be returned to her indefinitely. That is why we need you to act now. Please distribute and repost this action alert. Thank you for your time and your advocacy, and as always, Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Update: The hearing has been rescheduled for April 13th. Click here for more on how you can support Zakh and his family.
Hello,
In the past, we've written to you about advocacy issues relating to the rights of adults and youth on the autism spectrum. Our voices have made a difference on all manner of policy concerns and have sent a clear message that those who seek to deprive Autistic people of any age of their rights will have our community to answer to. Now we'd like to ask you to help us take action to help protect an 11-year old Autistic boy in Arkansas named Zakhqurey Price, currently being charged with felony assault after fighting back when two staff members restrained him in response to behavioral challenges. The school has ignored repeated efforts from Zakh's grandmother over the course of the last five months to obtain needed IEP supports to improve his educational options and manage his behavioral difficulties.
According to the suspension notice, the restraint was in response to Zakh destroying school property - something beyond the scope of what would be allowed under recently introduced federal civil rights legislation around restraint and seclusion in schools. Disability advocates, including ASAN, are fighting to pass this crucial legislation that would broaden the protections available to students like Zakh as well as those with other disabilities and with no disability at all. We have asked for your help in passing this important legislation, and together we can succeed in bringing proposed civil rights protections into law - but not in time to help Zakh. That is why we need you to take action now. Find out how below:
School Principal:
Pam Siebenmorgan (One of the charging parties in Zakh's felony hearing - polite but firm calls and e-mails encouraging her to drop the charges would be helpful)
Phone: 479-646-0834
E-mail: psiebenm@fortsmithschools.org
School Superintendent:
Dr. Benny Gooden (The Superintendent runs the entire school district - polite but firm calls and e-mails communicating how this situation is damaging Fort Smith Public Schools' reputation would be helpful as well)
E-mail: bgooden@fortsmithschools.org
School Board Office: 1-479-785-2501 Ext. 1201
We recommend that you both e-mail and call if you can. If necessary, e-mail is the preferable option. If you would like your e-mails to be passed along to Zakh's grandmother, please bcc: info@autisticadvocacy.org. Please stress the importance of Fort Smith Public Schools taking the following steps:
-Drop the charges against Zakhqurey Price
-Work with his grandmother to put in place an IEP that will fulfill Zakh's right for a Free and Appropriate Public Education in the Least Restrictive Environment
-Improve training for school personnel to prevent future such incidents and to ensure that students on the autism spectrum as well as with other disabilities are included, supported and educated in Fort Smith Public Schools.
If Zakh is declared incompetent as part of the hearing scheduled for January 12th, state law requires that he be placed into a mental hospital for at least 30 days. His grandmother fears that, due to the negative repercussions of being taken out of the community and being forced into an institutional setting, Zakh may lose skills in such an environment and not be returned to her indefinitely. That is why we need you to act now. Please distribute and repost this action alert. Thank you for your time and your advocacy, and as always, Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Update: The hearing has been rescheduled for April 13th. Click here for more on how you can support Zakh and his family.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Volunteers Needed to End School Abuse
In a bipartisan effort to protect children from dangerous restraint and seclusion in classrooms, new federal legislation will be introduced tomorrow by U.S. Reps. George Miller (D-CA), who is the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) who is a member of that committee and is the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference. Their press conference will be webcast live from the Education and Labor Committee website at http://edlabor.house.gov/ at 11:00 AM EST on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.
As shown in a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in classrooms, many students, including a disproportionate number of children with disabilities, have been injured and in some cases killed by these harmful practices. The federal government has no existing policies to prevent the misuse of restraint and seclusion in schools, and many states also lack adequate regulation and oversight.
ASAN is currently looking for volunteers to help with our advocacy work supporting the passage of legislation to protect students against school abuse. To volunteer, please write to info@autisticadvocacy.org with the subject line "Restraint and seclusion" in your email.
Update, December 9: The Justice for All Action Network has issued a press release supporting the legislation.
Second update: ASAN President Ari Ne'eman was quoted in an Education Week article on the proposed legislation, stating that it "is the first of its kind, going far beyond previous efforts to protect students with disabilities."
As shown in a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on the inappropriate use of restraint and seclusion in classrooms, many students, including a disproportionate number of children with disabilities, have been injured and in some cases killed by these harmful practices. The federal government has no existing policies to prevent the misuse of restraint and seclusion in schools, and many states also lack adequate regulation and oversight.
ASAN is currently looking for volunteers to help with our advocacy work supporting the passage of legislation to protect students against school abuse. To volunteer, please write to info@autisticadvocacy.org with the subject line "Restraint and seclusion" in your email.
Update, December 9: The Justice for All Action Network has issued a press release supporting the legislation.
Second update: ASAN President Ari Ne'eman was quoted in an Education Week article on the proposed legislation, stating that it "is the first of its kind, going far beyond previous efforts to protect students with disabilities."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
NYC Protest on November 17
For those who will be in the New York City area next week, please consider taking part in ASAN's protest rally against Autism Speaks' exclusionary, stigmatizing, and exploitative practices. Details are set forth in the following announcement by ASAN President Ari Ne'eman:
We'll be gathering at Seventh Avenue and 57th Street, 154 West 57th Street in New York City from 6 PM to 8 PM this coming Tuesday, November 17th, to hold up signs and hand out flyers to Autism Speaks sponsors going in to their New York City concert with Bruce Springsteen and Jerry Seinfeld. Come join us! Please RSVP to aneeman@autisticadvocacy.org or go to the facebook event page here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?invites&eid=205191180125
Please distribute to your friends, contacts and listservs!
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
1. Autism Speaks talks about us without us. Not a single Autistic person is on Autism Speaks' Board of Directors or in their leadership. Autism Speaks is one of an increasingly few number of major disability advocacy organizations that refuse to include any individual with the disability they purport to serve on their board of directors or at any point in their leadership and decision-making processes. In large part this is due to Autism Speaks' public relations strategy of presenting Autistic people as silent burdens on society rather than human beings with thoughts, feelings and opinions.
2. They use fear and stigma to try and raise money off the backs of our people. Autism Speaks uses damaging and offensive fundraising tactics which rely on fear, stereotypes and devaluing the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Autism Speaks' advertising claims that Autistic people are stolen from our own bodies. Its television Public Service Announcements compare having a child on the autism spectrum to having a child caught in a fatal car accident or struck by lightning. In fact, the idea of autism as a fate worse than death is a frequent theme in their fundraising and awareness efforts, going back to their "Autism Every Day" film in 2005. Indeed, throughout Autism Speaks' fundraising is a consistent and unfortunate theme of fear, pity and prejudice, presenting Autistic adults and children not as full human beings but as burdens on society that must be eliminated as soon as possible.
3. Very little money donated to Autism Speaks goes toward helping Autistic people and families: According to their 2008 annual report, only 4% of Autism Speaks' budget goes towards the "Family Service" grants that are the organization's means of funding services. Given the huge sums of money Autism Speaks raises from local communities as compared to the miniscule sums it gives back, it is not an exaggeration to say that Autism Speaks is a tremendous drain on the ability of communities to fund autism service-provision and education initiatives. Furthermore, while the bulk of Autism Speaks' budget (65%) goes toward genetic and biomedical research, only a small minority of Autism Speaks' research budget goes towards research oriented around improving services, supports, treatments and educational methodologies, with most funding going towards basic research oriented around causation and genetic research, including the prospect of prenatal testing. Although Autism Speaks has not prioritized services with a practical impact for families and individuals in its budget, its rates of executive pay are the highest in the autism world, with annual salaries as high as $600,000 a year.
Link to our Joint Letter Against Autism Speaks, signed by over 60 Disability Rights Groups: http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=61
Update: A news report on the protest, along with a photo slideshow, was published November 19th in the Long Island Autism Examiner.
Here is a video of an Autistic self-advocate explaining the situation to Jerry Seinfeld (first posted by Socrates at The New Republic):
We'll be gathering at Seventh Avenue and 57th Street, 154 West 57th Street in New York City from 6 PM to 8 PM this coming Tuesday, November 17th, to hold up signs and hand out flyers to Autism Speaks sponsors going in to their New York City concert with Bruce Springsteen and Jerry Seinfeld. Come join us! Please RSVP to aneeman@autisticadvocacy.org or go to the facebook event page here: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?invites&eid=205191180125
Please distribute to your friends, contacts and listservs!
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
1. Autism Speaks talks about us without us. Not a single Autistic person is on Autism Speaks' Board of Directors or in their leadership. Autism Speaks is one of an increasingly few number of major disability advocacy organizations that refuse to include any individual with the disability they purport to serve on their board of directors or at any point in their leadership and decision-making processes. In large part this is due to Autism Speaks' public relations strategy of presenting Autistic people as silent burdens on society rather than human beings with thoughts, feelings and opinions.
2. They use fear and stigma to try and raise money off the backs of our people. Autism Speaks uses damaging and offensive fundraising tactics which rely on fear, stereotypes and devaluing the lives of people on the autism spectrum. Autism Speaks' advertising claims that Autistic people are stolen from our own bodies. Its television Public Service Announcements compare having a child on the autism spectrum to having a child caught in a fatal car accident or struck by lightning. In fact, the idea of autism as a fate worse than death is a frequent theme in their fundraising and awareness efforts, going back to their "Autism Every Day" film in 2005. Indeed, throughout Autism Speaks' fundraising is a consistent and unfortunate theme of fear, pity and prejudice, presenting Autistic adults and children not as full human beings but as burdens on society that must be eliminated as soon as possible.
3. Very little money donated to Autism Speaks goes toward helping Autistic people and families: According to their 2008 annual report, only 4% of Autism Speaks' budget goes towards the "Family Service" grants that are the organization's means of funding services. Given the huge sums of money Autism Speaks raises from local communities as compared to the miniscule sums it gives back, it is not an exaggeration to say that Autism Speaks is a tremendous drain on the ability of communities to fund autism service-provision and education initiatives. Furthermore, while the bulk of Autism Speaks' budget (65%) goes toward genetic and biomedical research, only a small minority of Autism Speaks' research budget goes towards research oriented around improving services, supports, treatments and educational methodologies, with most funding going towards basic research oriented around causation and genetic research, including the prospect of prenatal testing. Although Autism Speaks has not prioritized services with a practical impact for families and individuals in its budget, its rates of executive pay are the highest in the autism world, with annual salaries as high as $600,000 a year.
Link to our Joint Letter Against Autism Speaks, signed by over 60 Disability Rights Groups: http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=61
Update: A news report on the protest, along with a photo slideshow, was published November 19th in the Long Island Autism Examiner.
Here is a video of an Autistic self-advocate explaining the situation to Jerry Seinfeld (first posted by Socrates at The New Republic):
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Protest in Columbus Against Autism Speaks
ASAN Central Ohio/Ohio State University will be protesting an Autism Speaks walk on Sunday. This information was crossposted from the ASAN Central Ohio blog.
Please join us as we protest the Autism Speaks walk for autism this Sunday, October 11 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. We'll be meeting at the corner of Fred Taylor Drive and Borror Drive, right by the 4-H Center, and this is where we'll carry out our protest. We are actively looking for volunteers and fellow protesters. Our protest has been sparked by, among other things, Autism Speaks' recent PSA, titled "I Am Autism," which presents autistic individuals as kidnap victims, burdens, and inhuman. In the video, autism is presented as a soul-stealing entity that ruins marriages, causes bankruptcy, triggers embarrassment, and erodes morality. Please join us (even if only for a short while) as we speak back to Autism Speaks and the discrimination that such a campaign perpetuates.
Campus map & driving directions: http://www.osu.edu/map/building.php?area=&building=191
Note on parking: The OSU Event Parking Coordinator is advising ASAN to park behind the 4H Center building in their parking lot. There are about 55-60 spaces available. Fred Taylor Drive (the road in front of the parking lot) will be blocked off at 10 a.m. to prepare for the walk, so everyone will need to be there before that time if they choose to park there. Getting dropped off near by or walking from main campus are the other options for coming later than 10am. Thanks!
Please contact us at asan.ohiostate@gmail.com with questions.
Please join us as we protest the Autism Speaks walk for autism this Sunday, October 11 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. We'll be meeting at the corner of Fred Taylor Drive and Borror Drive, right by the 4-H Center, and this is where we'll carry out our protest. We are actively looking for volunteers and fellow protesters. Our protest has been sparked by, among other things, Autism Speaks' recent PSA, titled "I Am Autism," which presents autistic individuals as kidnap victims, burdens, and inhuman. In the video, autism is presented as a soul-stealing entity that ruins marriages, causes bankruptcy, triggers embarrassment, and erodes morality. Please join us (even if only for a short while) as we speak back to Autism Speaks and the discrimination that such a campaign perpetuates.
Campus map & driving directions: http://www.osu.edu/map/building.php?area=&building=191
Note on parking: The OSU Event Parking Coordinator is advising ASAN to park behind the 4H Center building in their parking lot. There are about 55-60 spaces available. Fred Taylor Drive (the road in front of the parking lot) will be blocked off at 10 a.m. to prepare for the walk, so everyone will need to be there before that time if they choose to park there. Getting dropped off near by or walking from main campus are the other options for coming later than 10am. Thanks!
Please contact us at asan.ohiostate@gmail.com with questions.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Taking Action Against "I Am Autism"
ASAN is planning further action against Autism Speaks in response to its appalling "I am Autism" video. The following letter to our community from ASAN President Ari Ne'eman details some ways in which you can get involved.
Hello,
As many of you are aware, Autism Speaks sunk to a new low yesterday - even for them! The "I am Autism" campaign repeats the same tired old lies as the NYU Child Study Center's Ransom Notes ads, which our community successfully stopped in 2007, and goes even further, presenting Autistic people as useless burdens on society, on our families and on the world at large. “I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. I will plot to rob you of your children and your dreams….And if you’re happily married, I will make sure that your marriage fails. Your money will fall into my hands, and I will bankrupt you for my own self-gain,” says the video campaign. Full text is available here. As we did in response to the "Ransom Notes" ads, we are preparing a joint letter from the disability community in response to these horrific statements, which we hope to have available early next week. If you are connected to an organization that might be interested in signing on to such a letter, please e-mail info@autisticadvocacy.org immediately.
In addition, we are encouraging people to act immediately by joining ASAN in writing singer Bruce Springsteen, scheduled to participate in an Autism Speaks fundraiser in November, to end his newfound association with this organization that devalues our lives and speaks about us without us. You can contact Springsteen's publicist at mlaverty@shorefire.com or by phone at 718-522-7171.
Finally, as we mentioned in our initial press release this morning, ASAN Activists and allies are preparing to confront Autism Speaks fundraising in their own communities. If you would be willing to organize a protest in your community, whether you are a self advocate, family member or other ally, please e-mail us at info@autisticadvocacy.org. There has never been a more important time for our community to assert our voice.
Thank you and, as always, Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
info@autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530
Hello,
As many of you are aware, Autism Speaks sunk to a new low yesterday - even for them! The "I am Autism" campaign repeats the same tired old lies as the NYU Child Study Center's Ransom Notes ads, which our community successfully stopped in 2007, and goes even further, presenting Autistic people as useless burdens on society, on our families and on the world at large. “I am autism. I have no interest in right or wrong. I will plot to rob you of your children and your dreams….And if you’re happily married, I will make sure that your marriage fails. Your money will fall into my hands, and I will bankrupt you for my own self-gain,” says the video campaign. Full text is available here. As we did in response to the "Ransom Notes" ads, we are preparing a joint letter from the disability community in response to these horrific statements, which we hope to have available early next week. If you are connected to an organization that might be interested in signing on to such a letter, please e-mail info@autisticadvocacy.org immediately.
In addition, we are encouraging people to act immediately by joining ASAN in writing singer Bruce Springsteen, scheduled to participate in an Autism Speaks fundraiser in November, to end his newfound association with this organization that devalues our lives and speaks about us without us. You can contact Springsteen's publicist at mlaverty@shorefire.com or by phone at 718-522-7171.
Finally, as we mentioned in our initial press release this morning, ASAN Activists and allies are preparing to confront Autism Speaks fundraising in their own communities. If you would be willing to organize a protest in your community, whether you are a self advocate, family member or other ally, please e-mail us at info@autisticadvocacy.org. There has never been a more important time for our community to assert our voice.
Thank you and, as always, Nothing About Us, Without Us!
Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
info@autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Join the Disability Community Response to the NY Times
Disability rights activist Stephen Drake of Not Dead Yet wrote the following joint letter, to which ASAN is a signatory, protesting the recent decision of the NY Times Magazine to print an article by Peter Singer that advocated denying health care to people with disabilities. Those who wish to sign the letter individually may do so by email as stated below:
Please read this sign-on letter and consider signing on if you agree with it. If you would like to add your signature to this letter to Gerald Marzorati, Editor of NY Times Magazine send your name and email to jfa@aapd.com by 12 noon EST Monday August 10, 2009.
I apologize for the short notice and the insufficient formatting, but please check out the original at:
http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/08/jfaan-response-to-nytimes-article-.html
From the JFA Moderator: The following letter was composed by Not Dead Yet in collaboration with the JFA Action Network with the first signers listed below. We are seeking additional signers. If you would like to add your signature to this letter to Gerald Marzorati, Editor of NY Times Magazine send your name and email to jfa@aapd.com by 12 noon EST Monday August 10, 2009.
In response to Singer rationing:
Dear Mr. Marzorati:
Was it the New York Times Magazine’s intention to assault or diminish the basic tenets of the disability community's civil rights law virtually on the eve of its 19th anniversary? The New York Times Magazine’s decision to publish Peter Singer's latest long essay entitled 'Why We Must Ration Health Care' (7/15/09) less than two weeks before the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act demonstrates either deliberate malice or reckless disregard of the reality of disability as an important demographic representative of nearly 20% of the American population.
As anyone who has read ‘Why We Must Ration Health Care’ knows, Singer spoke “hypothetically” of assigning a life with quadriplegia as roughly half that of a life without any disability at all. On this “hypothetical” basis, Singer lays out a case for denying health care to people with significant disabilities on the basis that our lives have less value than the lives of nondisabled people.
This is Peter Singer’s most direct assault on the value of the lives of people with physical disabilities past the age of infancy that we have read. His policy proposals allowing for the killing of newborns with disabilities and people with significant cognitive disabilities are already well known.
While this is a bolder assault than we have seen from Professor Singer in the past, it’s hardly surprising. What’s surprising and deeply disturbing is that the NY Times editorial staff have sought him out as a writer on more than one occasion.
To be fair, the NY Times Magazine has published some excellent articles in the past that have covered the disability experience as more than a mere medical issue. The late Harriet McBryde Johnson had several thoughtful articles published in the NY Times Magazine describing the historical oppression directed at people with disabilities, contrasted with the wonderful opportunities that unfold if that oppression is lifted. When Harriet died, many of us were taken aback when the NY Times Magazine editors passed over Harriet’s friends and colleagues to write an end-of-year tribute in the year she died. That honor was bestowed on Professor Singer. Perhaps we should have taken that as a sign of things to come.
Reluctantly, we have to suspect that the NY Times Magazine accepted this piece because of its content, agreeing with Singer that our lives have lessened value and that we represent a drain on the collective economic and health care resources of our country. It’s hard to imagine the NY Times Magazine green-lighting an article that targeted any other group in such a way – e.g. immigrants, the poor, or other groups who have been targeted as scapegoats in the health care debates. Did the editor in charge of publishing this issue even notice that Singer used no factual information at all to support his devaluation of people with disabilities?
We have to wonder what went through the heads of the editorial staff when they thought about the reactions of readers – with or without disabilities – to the large graphic that read “__ YEARS OF A NONDISABLED LIFE IS WORTH __ YEARS OF A DISABLED LIFE.”
Contrast this with Senator Edward Kennedy’s essay on the fight for universal healthcare in the current issue of Newsweek. Talking about people with disabilities he said, in part:
Social justice is often the best economics. We can help disabled Americans who want to live in their homes instead of a nursing home. Simple things can make all the difference, like having the money to install handrails or have someone stop by and help every day.
Obviously, the definitions of justice that Senator Kennedy uses are very different from the definitions favored by Peter Singer and the NY Times Magazine.
Without using the term, Senator Kennedy is also describing the social model of disability. In the traditional medical model of disability, the “problems” of disability are all situated within the person. The medical model defines people with disabilities as having a lower “quality of life” than their nondisabled peers. In reality, most of the limitations put on people with disabilities are socially defined – and can be remediated in the same way. The Americans with Disabilities Act is built on the principles of that social model, acknowledging that disability is a natural part of life and that society has to reflect that reality in an inclusive and supportive way.
The proposed treatment – or nontreatment – of people with disabilities also violates the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was signed by US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice. She signed the Convention on July 30th at the direction of President Obama. While the Singer essay violates the spirit and vision of the Convention in numerous ways, the most pertinent section of the document is spelled out in Article 25(f), which obligates signatories to “prevent discriminatory denial of health care or health services or food and fluids on the basis of disability.” This is important. Article 4(d) states that countries that have signed the Convention agree to “refrain from engaging in any act or practice that is inconsistent with the present Convention.”
The American disability community, Senator Kennedy and an ever-growing majority of the international community all recognize that public policy has to embrace the inherent equality of the lives of people with disabilities – and public policy must reflect that in practice. The NY Times Magazine and Professor Singer stand opposed to the more progressive voices of social justice, inside and outside of the United States.
We, the undersigned, protest this treatment of people with disabilities within one of the most important public policy debates in our time. The New York Times Magazine has failed in its public responsibility to treat citizens of the United States with the simple respect we deserve by serving up people with disabilities as a drain on public resources and to legitimize the denial of medical care to those of us who need that support the most.
The editorial staff of the New York Times Magazine needs to meet with representatives of disability advocacy groups, with the following goals:
1. The NY Times staff needs to define and clarify its understanding of disability as a basic human rights issue.
2. If the current stance of the NY Times is that the lives of people with disabilities are, in fact, a drain on health care sources, it should be stated on record.
3. Discuss training in the basics of covering disability in news stories – beyond the “human interest” and “medical” angles.
4. Cover the difference between “analysis” and “appealing to bigotry” in public policy discussions.
Urgently,
ADAPT of Montana
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Disabilities Network of NYC
Little People of America
MetroWest Center for Independent Living
National Coalition of MH Consumer/Survivor Organizations
National Association of the Deaf
National Council on Independent Living
Not Dead Yet
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Center for Self-Determination
Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
Stephen Drake
Research Analyst
Not Dead Yet
497 State St
Rochester, NY 14608-1642
585-697-1640
http://www.notdeadyet.org
Please read this sign-on letter and consider signing on if you agree with it. If you would like to add your signature to this letter to Gerald Marzorati, Editor of NY Times Magazine send your name and email to jfa@aapd.com by 12 noon EST Monday August 10, 2009.
I apologize for the short notice and the insufficient formatting, but please check out the original at:
http://jfactivist.typepad.com/jfactivist/2009/08/jfaan-response-to-nytimes-article-.html
From the JFA Moderator: The following letter was composed by Not Dead Yet in collaboration with the JFA Action Network with the first signers listed below. We are seeking additional signers. If you would like to add your signature to this letter to Gerald Marzorati, Editor of NY Times Magazine send your name and email to jfa@aapd.com by 12 noon EST Monday August 10, 2009.
In response to Singer rationing:
Dear Mr. Marzorati:
Was it the New York Times Magazine’s intention to assault or diminish the basic tenets of the disability community's civil rights law virtually on the eve of its 19th anniversary? The New York Times Magazine’s decision to publish Peter Singer's latest long essay entitled 'Why We Must Ration Health Care' (7/15/09) less than two weeks before the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act demonstrates either deliberate malice or reckless disregard of the reality of disability as an important demographic representative of nearly 20% of the American population.
As anyone who has read ‘Why We Must Ration Health Care’ knows, Singer spoke “hypothetically” of assigning a life with quadriplegia as roughly half that of a life without any disability at all. On this “hypothetical” basis, Singer lays out a case for denying health care to people with significant disabilities on the basis that our lives have less value than the lives of nondisabled people.
This is Peter Singer’s most direct assault on the value of the lives of people with physical disabilities past the age of infancy that we have read. His policy proposals allowing for the killing of newborns with disabilities and people with significant cognitive disabilities are already well known.
While this is a bolder assault than we have seen from Professor Singer in the past, it’s hardly surprising. What’s surprising and deeply disturbing is that the NY Times editorial staff have sought him out as a writer on more than one occasion.
To be fair, the NY Times Magazine has published some excellent articles in the past that have covered the disability experience as more than a mere medical issue. The late Harriet McBryde Johnson had several thoughtful articles published in the NY Times Magazine describing the historical oppression directed at people with disabilities, contrasted with the wonderful opportunities that unfold if that oppression is lifted. When Harriet died, many of us were taken aback when the NY Times Magazine editors passed over Harriet’s friends and colleagues to write an end-of-year tribute in the year she died. That honor was bestowed on Professor Singer. Perhaps we should have taken that as a sign of things to come.
Reluctantly, we have to suspect that the NY Times Magazine accepted this piece because of its content, agreeing with Singer that our lives have lessened value and that we represent a drain on the collective economic and health care resources of our country. It’s hard to imagine the NY Times Magazine green-lighting an article that targeted any other group in such a way – e.g. immigrants, the poor, or other groups who have been targeted as scapegoats in the health care debates. Did the editor in charge of publishing this issue even notice that Singer used no factual information at all to support his devaluation of people with disabilities?
We have to wonder what went through the heads of the editorial staff when they thought about the reactions of readers – with or without disabilities – to the large graphic that read “__ YEARS OF A NONDISABLED LIFE IS WORTH __ YEARS OF A DISABLED LIFE.”
Contrast this with Senator Edward Kennedy’s essay on the fight for universal healthcare in the current issue of Newsweek. Talking about people with disabilities he said, in part:
Social justice is often the best economics. We can help disabled Americans who want to live in their homes instead of a nursing home. Simple things can make all the difference, like having the money to install handrails or have someone stop by and help every day.
Obviously, the definitions of justice that Senator Kennedy uses are very different from the definitions favored by Peter Singer and the NY Times Magazine.
Without using the term, Senator Kennedy is also describing the social model of disability. In the traditional medical model of disability, the “problems” of disability are all situated within the person. The medical model defines people with disabilities as having a lower “quality of life” than their nondisabled peers. In reality, most of the limitations put on people with disabilities are socially defined – and can be remediated in the same way. The Americans with Disabilities Act is built on the principles of that social model, acknowledging that disability is a natural part of life and that society has to reflect that reality in an inclusive and supportive way.
The proposed treatment – or nontreatment – of people with disabilities also violates the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which was signed by US Ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice. She signed the Convention on July 30th at the direction of President Obama. While the Singer essay violates the spirit and vision of the Convention in numerous ways, the most pertinent section of the document is spelled out in Article 25(f), which obligates signatories to “prevent discriminatory denial of health care or health services or food and fluids on the basis of disability.” This is important. Article 4(d) states that countries that have signed the Convention agree to “refrain from engaging in any act or practice that is inconsistent with the present Convention.”
The American disability community, Senator Kennedy and an ever-growing majority of the international community all recognize that public policy has to embrace the inherent equality of the lives of people with disabilities – and public policy must reflect that in practice. The NY Times Magazine and Professor Singer stand opposed to the more progressive voices of social justice, inside and outside of the United States.
We, the undersigned, protest this treatment of people with disabilities within one of the most important public policy debates in our time. The New York Times Magazine has failed in its public responsibility to treat citizens of the United States with the simple respect we deserve by serving up people with disabilities as a drain on public resources and to legitimize the denial of medical care to those of us who need that support the most.
The editorial staff of the New York Times Magazine needs to meet with representatives of disability advocacy groups, with the following goals:
1. The NY Times staff needs to define and clarify its understanding of disability as a basic human rights issue.
2. If the current stance of the NY Times is that the lives of people with disabilities are, in fact, a drain on health care sources, it should be stated on record.
3. Discuss training in the basics of covering disability in news stories – beyond the “human interest” and “medical” angles.
4. Cover the difference between “analysis” and “appealing to bigotry” in public policy discussions.
Urgently,
ADAPT of Montana
American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Disabilities Network of NYC
Little People of America
MetroWest Center for Independent Living
National Coalition of MH Consumer/Survivor Organizations
National Association of the Deaf
National Council on Independent Living
Not Dead Yet
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
The Center for Self-Determination
Topeka Independent Living Resource Center
Stephen Drake
Research Analyst
Not Dead Yet
497 State St
Rochester, NY 14608-1642
585-697-1640
http://www.notdeadyet.org
Monday, June 29, 2009
Disability Rights Protest
ASAN members will participate in a disability rights protest occurring tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30, in Columbus, Ohio. The group will meet at Barnes & Noble (1598 N. High St.) at 9am, make a few signs and then take the bus down to the state house.
The event has been organized by Sue Hetrick and other disability advocates to protest Ohio's funding of institutions/nursing homes while cutting funding for community-based living services. More details below.
ALL OHIOANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING, INDEPENDENT CITIZENS AND OHIO TAXPAYERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO RESPONSIBLE USE OF PUBLIC DOLLARS
When: Tuesday, June 30
Where: Ohio Statehouse, Third Street Side, Columbus
When: 8:30AM to 5 with “primetime” from 11AM to 2PM
Who: People with Any Disability, the Elderly, families, friends, advocates, and concerned Ohio taxpayers
Bring a chair, blanket, water, lunch, sunscreen or raingear!
Be prepared for a peaceful demonstration, but one that is persistent and vocal!
This is not a RALLY it is a PROTEST!
Note: As this is a grassroots demonstration no one group or individual can or will be responsible for attendant care though attendees are usually willing to support their brothers and sisters in this fight!
Signs are permitted and encouraged however they cannot be attached to sticks or poles!
Contact: Sue Hetrick 866-575-8055
The event has been organized by Sue Hetrick and other disability advocates to protest Ohio's funding of institutions/nursing homes while cutting funding for community-based living services. More details below.
JOIN US AS….
WE PROTEST
OHIO’S FUNDING OF COSTLY INSTITUTIONS/NURSING HOMES WHILE CUTTING MORE ECONOMICAL HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
WE PROTEST
OHIO’S FUNDING FOR SEGREGATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THE ELDERLY THAT DENIES CHOICE IN WHERE ONE WORKS, LIVES AND SOCIALIZES
ALL OHIOANS HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE PRODUCTIVE, CONTRIBUTING, INDEPENDENT CITIZENS AND OHIO TAXPAYERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO RESPONSIBLE USE OF PUBLIC DOLLARS
When: Tuesday, June 30
Where: Ohio Statehouse, Third Street Side, Columbus
When: 8:30AM to 5 with “primetime” from 11AM to 2PM
Who: People with Any Disability, the Elderly, families, friends, advocates, and concerned Ohio taxpayers
Bring a chair, blanket, water, lunch, sunscreen or raingear!
Be prepared for a peaceful demonstration, but one that is persistent and vocal!
This is not a RALLY it is a PROTEST!
Note: As this is a grassroots demonstration no one group or individual can or will be responsible for attendant care though attendees are usually willing to support their brothers and sisters in this fight!
Signs are permitted and encouraged however they cannot be attached to sticks or poles!
Contact: Sue Hetrick 866-575-8055
Monday, May 11, 2009
Carol Grigg of ASPIA Responds to ASAN
In a recent petition, ASAN called upon clinical psychologists Tony Attwood and Isabelle Hénault to respond to the concerns of the Autistic and cross-disability community by disassociating themselves from groups that falsely portray Autistic partners and parents as abusive, neglectful, or the cause of depression and other illnesses in their family members. The petition cited as an example the Australian support group ASPIA, which had an article on its website that suggested there was a "potential for abuse" by Autistic adults in family relationships.
Neither Dr. Attwood nor Dr. Hénault has yet shown any willingness to take meaningful action in response to our community's concerns, and we intend to continue our efforts to impress upon them the importance of ending all support for hate groups and damaging stereotypes. However, Carol Grigg, the founder of ASPIA, has written to ASAN expressing her desire to create a more balanced website and stating that she supports the rights of all people to be judged on the basis of their actions and treated equally under the law. She has removed the offending "potential for abuse" article and states that she is in the process of reviewing her links. In addition, she wrote:
I would welcome written information or links to good website resources that provide information from the perspective of Autistic adults in relation to managing relationships and parenting, with a particular focus on the communication difficulties.
ASAN places a high priority on identifying and developing resources for use by counselors and others who seek to promote a constructive and stigma-free approach to improving family relationships, recognizing the need for both partners to share responsibility for communication problems. We hope that ASPIA will work productively with us in this endeavor, and we intend to follow up with further discussion of changes and commitments that we want to see.
We would welcome specific recommendations from the Autistic community regarding helpful resources for positive family counseling and partner support, materials that may still need to be removed from the ASPIA website, and other related issues.
Neither Dr. Attwood nor Dr. Hénault has yet shown any willingness to take meaningful action in response to our community's concerns, and we intend to continue our efforts to impress upon them the importance of ending all support for hate groups and damaging stereotypes. However, Carol Grigg, the founder of ASPIA, has written to ASAN expressing her desire to create a more balanced website and stating that she supports the rights of all people to be judged on the basis of their actions and treated equally under the law. She has removed the offending "potential for abuse" article and states that she is in the process of reviewing her links. In addition, she wrote:
I would welcome written information or links to good website resources that provide information from the perspective of Autistic adults in relation to managing relationships and parenting, with a particular focus on the communication difficulties.
ASAN places a high priority on identifying and developing resources for use by counselors and others who seek to promote a constructive and stigma-free approach to improving family relationships, recognizing the need for both partners to share responsibility for communication problems. We hope that ASPIA will work productively with us in this endeavor, and we intend to follow up with further discussion of changes and commitments that we want to see.
We would welcome specific recommendations from the Autistic community regarding helpful resources for positive family counseling and partner support, materials that may still need to be removed from the ASPIA website, and other related issues.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Not Children: Tony Attwood Still Doesn't Get It
Some people have the idea that adults with disabilities should be treated as if they were children. This demeaning attitude often manifests itself in claims that people with disabilities are unsuited for, or too immature for, marriage and relationships.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is seeking, by way of a petition to Dr. Tony Attwood, to bring attention to the harm done by prejudiced stereotypes that characterize people with disabilities in such terms. Dr. Attwood has a long history of associating with hate groups that spread such stereotypes. In May 2000, he made this statement:
"...if I'm talking to a mother who has say two children, one with Asperger's syndrome, and a husband who I suspect with Aspergers and she says I've got two children, I say well actually you've got three children in some areas..."
Well actually, no, Dr. Attwood, she doesn't; and such prejudices have no place in marital counseling for people on the spectrum, or for anyone else. When so-called support groups encourage people to treat their spouse or partner as childish and incapable because of a disability, and when psychologists suggest that the person with the disability is to blame for all of the problems in the relationship, this is wrong and it has to be stopped. Period.
In his response to ASAN's petition, which we received yesterday, Dr. Attwood continued to assert the baseless claim that "...stress within a relationship between an adult with Asperger’s syndrome and their partner can lead to the neurotypical partner having signs of a clinical depression."
No, Dr. Attwood, being married to an Autistic person does not make someone sick. And our community will not tolerate this libel any longer.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Community Choice Act Needs Support
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has created the following Action Alert on Change.org to enable supporters of the Community Choice Act to quickly contact members of Congress and President Obama regarding the importance of the legislation. Please visit ASAN's Action Alert page and show your support!
Pass the Community Choice Act with Comprehensive Health Care Reform!
This action alert is designed to tell the Obama Administration and Congress that health care reform is incomplete without including long term services and supports through passage of the Community Choice Act. The Community Choice Act would reform Medicaid to increase access to community-based services and supports for all Americans. It would provide individuals with disabilities in institutions and nursing homes the option to receive community-based services and help address waiting lists by providing guaranteed access to a community-based benefit within Medicaid. It would also fix the institutional bias in Medicaid, liberating people from institutions and supporting them to live empowered lives within the community.
Pass the Community Choice Act with Comprehensive Health Care Reform!
This action alert is designed to tell the Obama Administration and Congress that health care reform is incomplete without including long term services and supports through passage of the Community Choice Act. The Community Choice Act would reform Medicaid to increase access to community-based services and supports for all Americans. It would provide individuals with disabilities in institutions and nursing homes the option to receive community-based services and help address waiting lists by providing guaranteed access to a community-based benefit within Medicaid. It would also fix the institutional bias in Medicaid, liberating people from institutions and supporting them to live empowered lives within the community.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Petition to Tony Attwood and Isabelle Hénault
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has created a petition calling on Dr. Tony Attwood and Dr. Isabelle Hénault, two psychologists widely known for their writings and presentations in the area of Autism, to disassociate themselves from hate groups promoting the groundless and pseudoscientific concept of Cassandra Affective Deprivation Disorder and related stereotypes and libels. These groups, including FAAAS and ASPIA, falsely claim that Autistics and people with neurological disabilities are likely to be violent and to abuse their family members. These groups seek to encourage discrimination against Autistic people in family law and relationships. Such stereotypes have caused people with disabilities to be deprived of parental rights and discriminated against in divorce and child custody cases. Drs. Attwood and Hénault have been regular presenters at Cassandra-related events over the past decade and currently are members of the FAAAS Professional Advisory Panel.
Regardless of your background or interest in Autism or cross-disability issues, we hope that you will join us in signing this petition to help secure the rights of all people to be treated equally under the law. For those who are interested in e-mailing directly, tony@tonyattwood.com.au is the e-mail address for Dr. Attwood and ihenault@internet.uqam.ca is the e-mail address for Dr. Hénault. Also, here is a link to a statement by ASAN President Ari Ne'eman asking the community to sign the petition to Dr. Tony Attwood and Dr. Isabelle Hénault. Thank you for your support in ending stereotypes and discrimination.
Regardless of your background or interest in Autism or cross-disability issues, we hope that you will join us in signing this petition to help secure the rights of all people to be treated equally under the law. For those who are interested in e-mailing directly, tony@tonyattwood.com.au is the e-mail address for Dr. Attwood and ihenault@internet.uqam.ca is the e-mail address for Dr. Hénault. Also, here is a link to a statement by ASAN President Ari Ne'eman asking the community to sign the petition to Dr. Tony Attwood and Dr. Isabelle Hénault. Thank you for your support in ending stereotypes and discrimination.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Unethical Ad Campaign Action Alert
The British charity Action for Children is currently showing a television advertisement that depicts an autistic boy, "Dan," as controlled by a monster that causes him to "lash out." The ad presents a harmful and misleading view of the autistic population by suggesting that Dan's autism is monstrous, that violent behavior is characteristic of autism, and that there is a non-autistic child somewhere inside the monster who needs to be rescued.
To send letters to the charity and to British authorities protesting this unethical ad campaign, visit the Action for Children Unethical Ad Campaign Alert on ASAN's action page at Change.org. The page provides a basic letter that can be personalized to express the writer's individual views.
Update: The ad has been withdrawn, thanks to all who wrote to object.
To send letters to the charity and to British authorities protesting this unethical ad campaign, visit the Action for Children Unethical Ad Campaign Alert on ASAN's action page at Change.org. The page provides a basic letter that can be personalized to express the writer's individual views.
Update: The ad has been withdrawn, thanks to all who wrote to object.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Ideas for Change
ASAN Southwest Ohio would like to encourage autistic self-advocates to participate in an online competition sponsored by Change.org to present ideas for change to the new presidential administration and Congress.
Tomorrow, Wednesday the 31st of December, is the last day for voting. There are several proposed ideas that would be useful to autistic citizens, including the following:
Fully Fund Medicaid Waivers for the Developmentally Disabled
Replace No Child Left Behind With a Strong Education Policy
Independence and Services for Disabilities and Autism
You must register and sign in with a Change.org account in order to vote in the competition.
Tomorrow, Wednesday the 31st of December, is the last day for voting. There are several proposed ideas that would be useful to autistic citizens, including the following:
Fully Fund Medicaid Waivers for the Developmentally Disabled
Replace No Child Left Behind With a Strong Education Policy
Independence and Services for Disabilities and Autism
You must register and sign in with a Change.org account in order to vote in the competition.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Another IACC Reminder
Today is the deadline for comments on the draft Strategic Plan prepared by the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) for autism research.
It is important that the IACC hear from as many of us as possible! Sullivan has prepared a quick and easy form for submitting your comments, with helpful suggestions for points of interest to autistic self-advocates and other neurodiversity supporters. If you have not yet responded, please take a few minutes to read the form and submit your suggestions for U.S. government autism research priorities. You need not include a detailed discussion in each section, if you don't have the time; what matters is to get our perspective across.
It is important that the IACC hear from as many of us as possible! Sullivan has prepared a quick and easy form for submitting your comments, with helpful suggestions for points of interest to autistic self-advocates and other neurodiversity supporters. If you have not yet responded, please take a few minutes to read the form and submit your suggestions for U.S. government autism research priorities. You need not include a detailed discussion in each section, if you don't have the time; what matters is to get our perspective across.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Talking Points for IACC Comments
ASAN would like to remind the autistic community of the upcoming deadline for comments to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). We are asking people to write and send comments to the IACC and, if possible, also post your comments on blogs, forums, lists, etc., in the autistic community. Here is a list of helpful talking points prepared to assist our advocates in putting together comments. Many thanks to Paula of ASAN Virginia for her time and effort!
Hello,
Below is a document of considerable importance. Right now, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee is seeking public comment on issues relating to service-delivery. In our conversations with NIMH, we've heard a considerable willingness to move closer towards our position, if supported by a sufficiently strong public comment. The deadline on this is this coming Friday, the 19th. If people would be willing to post this on their blogs and also post their personal e-mails to NIMH on their blogs, we'd appreciate the help in turning people out to this. The initial version of this that has gone out on listservs and so on did not include the contact info to send the public comments to - an error on our part - but we've added it here. People should direct their comments, stories and so on to iaccservices@mail.nih.gov by September 19th, 2008.
More info from NIMH can be found here: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-016.html. I'd also like to add that this is the first of two public comments in relation to the IACC that will be due this month - we'll be sending out a primer on the second call for comments on the research Strategic Plan that will be due on the 30th. I have to stress here that volume is a major priority in what we want as far as responses go - we want lots of them and from lots of people. You don't need extensive citations or anything of that nature - just send something expressing your support for quality of life, communication and similarly important research priorities. This is a top priority for us and we hope you can help us bring out our population - again, the quantity of our response will indicate to NIMH the extent to which the neurodiversity/autistic self-advocacy community should be viewed as a major stakeholder.
Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
732.763.5530
ASAN BACKGROUND AND TALKING POINTS ON IACC REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON SUPPORTS AND SERVICES
BACKGROUND:
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) has put out a Request for Information (RFI) to seek input from stakeholders (those interested in autism), including autistic individuals, about what they consider to be high-priority issues and concerns surrounding services and supports for children, youth, and adults with ASD.
The RFI is due no later than Sept. 19, 2008, seven days from now. People should direct their comments to iaccservices@mail.nih.gov by September 19th, 2008. More info from NIMH can be found here: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-016.html.
This RFI provides an excellent opportunity for self-advocates and allies to make our voices heard. Members of the IACC are very interested in hearing from individuals on the autism spectrum. They've heard extensively from the anti-vaccine crowd, from parents, experts, researchers, and from people on the autism spectrum.
More input from autistic adults at this point, when the IACC is coming close to finalizing a budget and mission statement for the Strategic Plan, will mean more attention to the issues we consider to be most important.
The focus of this particular RFI on services and supports is an area that many autistic adults have much to say about; here is a chance to say it directly to the committee that will be allocating resources to various areas. Currently, funding is skewed toward genetic research and research into treatments and interventions.
In the time that autistic individuals have been submitting comments and testifying at IACC meetings, some positive change has been noted in the amount of funds earmarked for research into services and supports.
It is important that the IACC hear from everyone who is able to comment because part of the task of assessing importance is to determine the extent of the population that has an interest in the decisions that the IACC will make.
The IACC decides levels of funding for research into supports and services, but does not fund supports and services themselves.
TALKING POINTS
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has developed these talking points to assist individuals in writing statements to IACC on the topic of supports and services.
The RFI lists a number of areas of concern that can be addressed. You do not have to address every topic. You can pick the ones that are the most important to you. Feel free to change the wording so that it reflects your most important priorities.
Education:
Studies need to be undertaken that assess current levels of supports and services within the public education system. When treatments and interventions that look promising are developed, additional funding must be appropriated to address implementation so that teachers, students, parents, and other education professionals are up-to-date and have access to information, training, technological resources such as AAC, and other resources.
Health and medical services (including dental):
Access to health and medical services, particularly for adults on the autism spectrum, is of paramount importance for research funding. Current studies that focus on diagnosis and treatment of children do not address the very real need for healthcare access for autistic adults who may not have insurance, may have communication difficulties and other difficulties that prevent them from obtaining adequate care. Education of health care professionals so that they can interact knowledgeable with autistic patients/clients is one area for research into services and supports.
Housing:
Research into housing alternatives, following ideas such as those in the Community Choice Act and Money Follows the Person projects, should be undertaken. Warehousing of individuals in residential centers is undesirable yet often occurs because infrastructure for other types of housing is unavailable or underutilized. Research needs to include cost-effectiveness measures, some of which are already available, which show that housing in the community costs less than residential living.
Transitions:
Research into the most effective transition options needs to be undertaken. Parents and young adults on the spectrum often have nowhere to turn after they age out of the school environment. A clearinghouse of options should be researched and developed so that families will have resources already in place.
Employment:
Research into employment options and opportunities for people on the autism spectrum needs to include components such as accommodations, training, and career counseling. Research in other areas such as treatment, interventions, diagnosis, and genetic research, can be used to counter stereotypes of what an individual on the spectrum can do for employment. Resources for trainers, counselors, employers, and others need to be developed so that autistic people are not discriminated against in the employment world because of stereotypes and misunderstanding. The IACC and NIMH can set the tone for accurate information that can help employers assess individual strengths and weaknesses rather than relying on discriminatory assumptions.
Community inclusion:
Full inclusion in the community needs to be examined and research initiatives should focus on this very important aspect of adult life, and life for children who will grow into adulthood. Community-based participatory research should be implemented that will accurately reflect the actual needs of the autistic teen and adult population.
Safety:
Research into areas that can improve safety for autistic people, throughout the lifespan, and in different situations, needs to be undertaken. Areas to focus on are keeping people on the autism spectrum safe if they have a tendency to wander, or do not understand dangerous situations. Education of parents, professionals, first responders, and autistic people should be undertaken, and the best methods for ensuring safety should be addressed by research in this area. Sometimes autistic people can appear unusual in behavior, which will attract attention from law enforcement and other personnel. Training for professionals in aspects of autistic behavior that might not be understood is a crucial area to address in order to promote the safety of all.
Older adults:
Many older adults remain undiagnosed. Some have no health insurance. Some are living in poverty or are homeless. Many older autistic adults will need medication, including medication for health problems. Research into how to best reach out to older adults who may not have an autism diagnosis but may present as in need of services should be undertaken. Research into the effect of common medications, including for non-autistic-related health problems such as diabetes, should be undertaken. Because of the possibility of extrapyramidal or paradoxical drug reactions, and the general effect of certain drugs on older people, cases should be documented so that any adverse pattern of reaction can be established. Housing, health care, dental care, and community inclusion should all be addressed and tailored to the older autistic population. Community-based participatory research can be invaluable in determining the best ways to access health and other care.
Finances:
Across the lifespan, autistic children and their families, autistic adults and elders will have various financial needs. Research into how to help families and individuals on the spectrum cover the costs associated with treatments and interventions, and a clearinghouse for resources should be developed. In addition, financial resources for autistic adults who have difficulty with financial concepts should be researched and implemented.
Guardianship:
Research into the best ways to establish guardianship should be undertaken, including autistic adults as full participants in the research process in order to establish the most ethical procedures for guardianship. Guardianship should be tailored to the needs of the individual rather than being a one-size-fits-all category, since some individuals will need guardianship in limited areas, but not all aspects of their lives.
Estate planning:
Families with autistic individuals need to take extra precautions in planning an estate, especially for individuals who may need ongoing care throughout life. Autistic adults also may need assistance with estate planning. Research leading to the development of estate planning tools that can assist families and autistic individuals in making sound decisions should be initiated.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
ASAN Urges Self-Advocates to Write Comments to the IACC
The following announcement was released today by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. We are strongly urging autistic self-advocates and our allies to submit comments to the U.S. government regarding autism research and services, so that our voices will be heard when the funds are allocated. It is not necessary to be a U.S. citizen to submit a comment.
The role of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), created in 2006, is to help formulate the direction of future scientific research about autism in the U.S.
The IACC has indicated its willingness to hear from people on the autistic spectrum by including us in their invitation for comments, and by including an adult on the autistic spectrum on their board.
The IACC is currently asking for comments (Requests for Information) on two different topics. These requests for comments are our chance as individuals on the autistic spectrum to have our voices heard by the IACC. This is our chance to help ensure that future research about autism is scientifically sound, ethical, and of real benefit to people on the spectrum. The number of responses really matters; please respond to the requests if you are able.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION #1
Topic: Priority Questions for Supports and Services
Deadline: 19 September, 2008
The IACC would like to know what you consider to be the most important, or highest priority, research questions related to services and supports for people on the autistic spectrum. This includes any high priority questions or concerns related to education, health and medical services (including dental), housing, transitions, employment, community inclusion, safety, older adults, finances, guardianship, and estate planning.
This information will be used by the IACC to guide which autism research projects get funding.
To get more information about the request for information, how to make your points, and other information about the comment period, go to this NIH web site: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-016.html
The deadline for comments is 19 September, 2008, so please make your comments prior to that date.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION #2
Topic: Comments on Draft of Strategic Plan
Deadline: 30 September, 2008
The IACC has finished drafting a plan for autism research, and is now asking for comments on that plan. The best way for you to let IACC know that you feel their draft plan could be of benefit to individuals on the spectrum is to contact the IACC with your own thoughts on the draft plan.
A summary of what is proposed in the plan is as follows:
+ Children with a higher probability for ASD will be identified by 24 months and receive appropriate assistance.
+ Discover how ASD affects development, which will lead to targeted and personalized interventions.
+ Causes of ASD will be discovered that inform prognosis and treatments and lead to prevention/preemption of the challenges and disabilities of ASD.
+ Interventions will be developed that are effective for reducing both core and associated difficulties, for building adaptive skills, and for preventing the disabilities associated with ASD.
+ Communities will implement high quality, evidence-based and cost-effective services and supports across the lifespan for people with ASD.
+ Advances in intervention, education and services will support and enable individuals on the autism spectrum to lead fulfilling and productive lives in the community.
To get more information about the plan, how to make your points, and other information about the comment period, go to this NIH web site: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-021.html.
The deadline for comments is 30 September, 2008, so please make your comments prior to that date.
The role of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), created in 2006, is to help formulate the direction of future scientific research about autism in the U.S.
The IACC has indicated its willingness to hear from people on the autistic spectrum by including us in their invitation for comments, and by including an adult on the autistic spectrum on their board.
The IACC is currently asking for comments (Requests for Information) on two different topics. These requests for comments are our chance as individuals on the autistic spectrum to have our voices heard by the IACC. This is our chance to help ensure that future research about autism is scientifically sound, ethical, and of real benefit to people on the spectrum. The number of responses really matters; please respond to the requests if you are able.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION #1
Topic: Priority Questions for Supports and Services
Deadline: 19 September, 2008
The IACC would like to know what you consider to be the most important, or highest priority, research questions related to services and supports for people on the autistic spectrum. This includes any high priority questions or concerns related to education, health and medical services (including dental), housing, transitions, employment, community inclusion, safety, older adults, finances, guardianship, and estate planning.
This information will be used by the IACC to guide which autism research projects get funding.
To get more information about the request for information, how to make your points, and other information about the comment period, go to this NIH web site: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-016.html
The deadline for comments is 19 September, 2008, so please make your comments prior to that date.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION #2
Topic: Comments on Draft of Strategic Plan
Deadline: 30 September, 2008
The IACC has finished drafting a plan for autism research, and is now asking for comments on that plan. The best way for you to let IACC know that you feel their draft plan could be of benefit to individuals on the spectrum is to contact the IACC with your own thoughts on the draft plan.
A summary of what is proposed in the plan is as follows:
+ Children with a higher probability for ASD will be identified by 24 months and receive appropriate assistance.
+ Discover how ASD affects development, which will lead to targeted and personalized interventions.
+ Causes of ASD will be discovered that inform prognosis and treatments and lead to prevention/preemption of the challenges and disabilities of ASD.
+ Interventions will be developed that are effective for reducing both core and associated difficulties, for building adaptive skills, and for preventing the disabilities associated with ASD.
+ Communities will implement high quality, evidence-based and cost-effective services and supports across the lifespan for people with ASD.
+ Advances in intervention, education and services will support and enable individuals on the autism spectrum to lead fulfilling and productive lives in the community.
To get more information about the plan, how to make your points, and other information about the comment period, go to this NIH web site: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-MH-08-021.html.
The deadline for comments is 30 September, 2008, so please make your comments prior to that date.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Ad Boycott Against The Savage Nation and Talk Radio Networks
In response to the grossly offensive statements made on the talk show The Savage Nation regarding autism, the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and other disability rights organizations are calling on the sponsors to withdraw their advertising, as announced today by ASAN President Ari Ne'eman:
Hello everyone,
As many of you have already heard, this past week talk radio personality Michael Weiner, better known on the air as Michael Savage, made several outrageous remarks in regards to autism, including, "Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I'm not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket…I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot." A full transcript of his statements can be found here. Remarks like these spread ignorance about autism and threaten to return us to a previous era where parents were blamed and labeled as "refrigerator mothers" for having autistic children. Not only have Michael Weiner and Talk Radio Networks refused to retract these outrageous comments - they have added to them by claiming, unsupported by science of any kind, that the autism spectrum is an overdiagnosed medical condition. This is part of a broader pattern of statements attacking people with disabilities and our families. It requires a strong response.
As a result of this continued attack against autistic people and the broader disability community, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has joined with over a dozen national and regional disability rights organizations to call on the sponsors of Talk Radio Networks and the Savage Nation to pull their support. Together, we have issued a strong joint statement calling for an ad boycott. In addition, we've collected contact information for several of the major sponsors of Talk Radio Networks in order to empower our community to take further action. We urge you to use the information below to write, call and e-mail these sponsors and tell them why it is imperative they join companies like Aflac and Telesouth Communication that have already pulled their ads in response to these hateful remarks. There are over 50 million people with disabilities in the United States with approximately $200 billion in disposable income. It is time for us to make our voices heard.
Below you will find contact information for Talk Radio Networks' largest sponsors and a sample letter for you to use as a reference point in your e-mails and phone calls. We will be keeping an updated list on our website here and will post updates and changes to contact information as new information becomes available. In addition, if you would like to express your support for the disability community's joint statement on this issue, you can do so by signing our petition here. Organizations wishing to become signatories to our joint statement should contact us at info@autisticadvocacy.org. Please distribute this message to your networks and feel free to repost.
Sample Letter:
"To Whom It May Concern:
As a member of the disability community, I am outraged by the recent comments made by Talk Radio Networks' host Michael Alan Weiner, also known as Michael Savage, stating that autism is "a fraud...a racket...In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is." Not only have these comments not been retracted but Talk Radio Networks continues to stand by Michael Weiner as he continues spreading public misinformation about autism. Autism is a very real developmental disability affecting millions of Americans. Public ignorance and prejudice against people with disabilities represent one of the most significant obstacles to full access and inclusion of people with disabilities throughout society. I urge you to take immediate action and pull your financial support from Talk Radio Networks and The Savage Nation Radio Show in response to these hateful comments."
Contact Information:
ABC, Inc.:
VP Advertising/Sales Mike Shaw
Phone: 212 456-7272
mike.shaw@abc.com
VP Public Relations Kevin Brockman
Phone: 818 460-7756
Fax: 212-456-1424
Acura:
Acura Public Relations
Mike Spencer, 310-783-3165
info@acura.com
American Express:
Leslie Berland
212.640.5142
Leslie.A.Berland@aexp.com
American Express
P.O. Box 981540
El Paso, TX 79998-1540
Boca Java:
Stefanie Hochstadter
shochstadter@bocajava.com
1-888-262-2528
Boca Java
730 South Powerline Rd.
Suite D
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Campbell's:
Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Place
Camden, NJ 08103-1701
Phone: 800-257-8443
Phone: 800-871-0988
Citrix:
851 West Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, United States
Americas PR
Jason Wyse
Americas Senior PR Manager
Phone: (786) 449-3740
Email: jason.wyse@citrix.com
Eric Armstrong
Director, Corporate Communications
Phone: (954) 267-2977
Email: eric.armstrong@citrix.com
Dish Network:
CEO Charlie Ergen: (303) 723-1010
CEO assistant: (303) 723-1005
EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.
Attn: Corporate Communications
9601 S. Meridian Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80112
press@echostar.com
Ebay:
Alan Marks
Senior Vice President Corporate Communications
Telephone: 1-408-376-7400
Fax: 1-408-369-4855
Email: info@ebay.com
General Motors:
Andrea Canabal
General Motors, Northeast Communications,
Work: +1-914-244-6059
Cellular: +1-914-391-6898
andrea.canabal@gm.com
Stockholder line: 313-667-1500
Gallo Winery:
John Segale
Gallo Winery Spokesperson
Work: 916-960-5341
Cell: 916-600-1081
Prudential:
Bob DeFillippo
Phone: 973-802-4149
bob.defillippo@prudential.com
Nestlé Purina PetCare:
Email: kschopp@purina.com
Phone: 314-982-2577
Fax: 314-982-2752
Simon & Schuster:
Michael Selleck
(800) 223-2336
info@simonsays.com
Staples, Inc:
Paul Capelli, 508-253-8530
paul.capelli@staples.com
Subway:
SUBWAY® Public Relations
(203) 877-4281
Les Winograd Ext. 1683
winograd_l@subway.com
Kevin Kane Ext. 1329
kane_k@subway.com
Volkswagen:
Keyes, Steve
Director, Press and Public Relations
Phone: 703 364 7650
Fax: 703 364 7071
Email: steve.keyes@vw.com
Thank you for your support and please distribute. Our combined activism has and will continue to help us create a world that respects, includes and supports people with disabilities throughout society. Remember, nothing about us, without us!
Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530
Hello everyone,
As many of you have already heard, this past week talk radio personality Michael Weiner, better known on the air as Michael Savage, made several outrageous remarks in regards to autism, including, "Now, you want me to tell you my opinion on autism, since I'm not talking about autism? A fraud, a racket…I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot." A full transcript of his statements can be found here. Remarks like these spread ignorance about autism and threaten to return us to a previous era where parents were blamed and labeled as "refrigerator mothers" for having autistic children. Not only have Michael Weiner and Talk Radio Networks refused to retract these outrageous comments - they have added to them by claiming, unsupported by science of any kind, that the autism spectrum is an overdiagnosed medical condition. This is part of a broader pattern of statements attacking people with disabilities and our families. It requires a strong response.
As a result of this continued attack against autistic people and the broader disability community, the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network has joined with over a dozen national and regional disability rights organizations to call on the sponsors of Talk Radio Networks and the Savage Nation to pull their support. Together, we have issued a strong joint statement calling for an ad boycott. In addition, we've collected contact information for several of the major sponsors of Talk Radio Networks in order to empower our community to take further action. We urge you to use the information below to write, call and e-mail these sponsors and tell them why it is imperative they join companies like Aflac and Telesouth Communication that have already pulled their ads in response to these hateful remarks. There are over 50 million people with disabilities in the United States with approximately $200 billion in disposable income. It is time for us to make our voices heard.
Below you will find contact information for Talk Radio Networks' largest sponsors and a sample letter for you to use as a reference point in your e-mails and phone calls. We will be keeping an updated list on our website here and will post updates and changes to contact information as new information becomes available. In addition, if you would like to express your support for the disability community's joint statement on this issue, you can do so by signing our petition here. Organizations wishing to become signatories to our joint statement should contact us at info@autisticadvocacy.org. Please distribute this message to your networks and feel free to repost.
Sample Letter:
"To Whom It May Concern:
As a member of the disability community, I am outraged by the recent comments made by Talk Radio Networks' host Michael Alan Weiner, also known as Michael Savage, stating that autism is "a fraud...a racket...In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is." Not only have these comments not been retracted but Talk Radio Networks continues to stand by Michael Weiner as he continues spreading public misinformation about autism. Autism is a very real developmental disability affecting millions of Americans. Public ignorance and prejudice against people with disabilities represent one of the most significant obstacles to full access and inclusion of people with disabilities throughout society. I urge you to take immediate action and pull your financial support from Talk Radio Networks and The Savage Nation Radio Show in response to these hateful comments."
Contact Information:
ABC, Inc.:
VP Advertising/Sales Mike Shaw
Phone: 212 456-7272
mike.shaw@abc.com
VP Public Relations Kevin Brockman
Phone: 818 460-7756
Fax: 212-456-1424
Acura:
Acura Public Relations
Mike Spencer, 310-783-3165
info@acura.com
American Express:
Leslie Berland
212.640.5142
Leslie.A.Berland@aexp.com
American Express
P.O. Box 981540
El Paso, TX 79998-1540
Boca Java:
Stefanie Hochstadter
shochstadter@bocajava.com
1-888-262-2528
Boca Java
730 South Powerline Rd.
Suite D
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Campbell's:
Campbell Soup Company
Campbell Place
Camden, NJ 08103-1701
Phone: 800-257-8443
Phone: 800-871-0988
Citrix:
851 West Cypress Creek Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, United States
Americas PR
Jason Wyse
Americas Senior PR Manager
Phone: (786) 449-3740
Email: jason.wyse@citrix.com
Eric Armstrong
Director, Corporate Communications
Phone: (954) 267-2977
Email: eric.armstrong@citrix.com
Dish Network:
CEO Charlie Ergen: (303) 723-1010
CEO assistant: (303) 723-1005
EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.
Attn: Corporate Communications
9601 S. Meridian Blvd.
Englewood, CO 80112
press@echostar.com
Ebay:
Alan Marks
Senior Vice President Corporate Communications
Telephone: 1-408-376-7400
Fax: 1-408-369-4855
Email: info@ebay.com
General Motors:
Andrea Canabal
General Motors, Northeast Communications,
Work: +1-914-244-6059
Cellular: +1-914-391-6898
andrea.canabal@gm.com
Stockholder line: 313-667-1500
Gallo Winery:
John Segale
Gallo Winery Spokesperson
Work: 916-960-5341
Cell: 916-600-1081
Prudential:
Bob DeFillippo
Phone: 973-802-4149
bob.defillippo@prudential.com
Nestlé Purina PetCare:
Email: kschopp@purina.com
Phone: 314-982-2577
Fax: 314-982-2752
Simon & Schuster:
Michael Selleck
(800) 223-2336
info@simonsays.com
Staples, Inc:
Paul Capelli, 508-253-8530
paul.capelli@staples.com
Subway:
SUBWAY® Public Relations
(203) 877-4281
Les Winograd Ext. 1683
winograd_l@subway.com
Kevin Kane Ext. 1329
kane_k@subway.com
Volkswagen:
Keyes, Steve
Director, Press and Public Relations
Phone: 703 364 7650
Fax: 703 364 7071
Email: steve.keyes@vw.com
Thank you for your support and please distribute. Our combined activism has and will continue to help us create a world that respects, includes and supports people with disabilities throughout society. Remember, nothing about us, without us!
Regards,
Ari Ne'eman
President
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
1101 15th Street, NW Suite 1212
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org
732.763.5530
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