Aspies For Freedom

Hi,

I am on the executive committee of an organisation for people with ASDs and thier families. We are based in Brighton. (I'm also an aspie myself!)
The organisation is called ASSERT http://www.assertbh.org.uk/

We would really like to do something for APD 2008. I have also been speaking with DANDA http://www.danda.org.uk

So far, we have been thinking of holding an event in the London area, like a picnic or something (DANDA have done this before) where people have placards.

I was thinking that maybe next year, at the weekend nearest to APD, we could have some kind of Autistic Pride Tea Party and bring placards and wear T-shirts with autistic pride type slogans on etc.

I was just wondering what people thought of this and whether you think it is a good idea, or whether you had any ideas?

How many of you would be interested in attending an event like this?

If it goes well, in future years we could maybe have a guest speaker as well as asking members of AFF, DANDA, ASSERT to speak about their experiences of ASDs.

I would be really interested to hear your feedback.
Thanks

Is anyone interested in doing anything for APD next year? If so, please let me know and I will do my best to get something organised - I really will, just let me know what you would like to do.
Obviously there is no point in me organising anything if no-one is interested.....

I think people would be very interested - I suspect the lack of responses has more to do with the number of people reading the forums living near Brighton. The easiest way to get a more local response would be to contact a local newspaper & see if they were willing to do a story on it - they're often happy to do pieces for non-profit organisations...

Thanks EvilZakkie, I will try that.
Although I am based in Brighton, I am also speaking with an organisation in London, and we will probably hold the event in London rather than Brighton.

When is autistic pride day, out of interest?

June 18

All being well I would come complete with sons. I have relatives in Hertfordshire that I can stay with.

oo, i wanna go on an aspie picnic! whats a "placard" anyway? i haven't heard that word before...x

A placard is usually a sign that is on a post so that it can be held up high or waved about.

I'd love to go to something like a picnic, i'm in london so somewhere in london would be perfect for me.

I will speak to DANDA and see what they are planning this year and I will keep everyone updated.

Speaking of globalizing--maybe we should get in contact with ALUT about it, see if they're planning anything.

Can anyone confirm if anything will happen this year? I have been unable to attend the events that were held in previous years, and would be very interested in attending this year if any events are going to be held.

Any information that anybody could provide would be much appreciated.

I would also like to know if anything is planned since i am looking forward to the day very much and would like to do something for it. The thought came to me recently that we're all just waiting for someone else to organise something. If thats the case i would be happy to organise an event in London. I would also be very grateful if someone else wanted to help me organise something.

It would be nice to do something as there are clearly people who are interested in doing something - it is just a case of figuring out what people want to do and then a few people taking responsibility for organising it.

So feel free to suggest what you'd like to do.

I'll contact DANDA and see what they are doing this year. I'll also get in touch with a couple of autism organisations that I am a member of  (one on the south coast, the other in London) and see if they have any plans too and I will post what I find out on here.