I start suggesting we start to alert the media of the historic day. Notify local news stations (just the US, British stations are much easier since it's all just BBC and ITV.) and the big media honchos like CNN, MSNBC and the dreaded Fox News. So spread the word folks. I'm going to try to find a list of media contacts. AFF needs a press officer.
:lol:
geeze amy.
do you hover over the forum or something and whenever someone posts an important topic you swoop down and reply?
I would volunteer, but... I think I'm a little young to be doing it. I fear I will be overswamped with the work that and if this becomes a big event, overswamped with interview requests (heh, it could happen). As much as I want to be in the limelight. Right now, this is one of the times I don't want to be.
Amy, do you want me to make a banner for APD? 'Cause maybe then you could link to it from other sites?
I could inform the shropshire star, covers all shropshire plus a bit, but I think to get their attention would need an event to be held here that needs ppl and im with you
Media coverage for Autistic Pride Day, well why not? I might be able to get in contact with some local newspapers to spread the word here in North Yorkshire , and maybe some local radio stations too, if it's possible, which it should be, i can easily contact 2 newspapers and 2 or 3 radio stations (i live up to a mile away from one station, so i could arrange an appointment to see them, the others i can email). spread the word of Autistic Pride Day :grin:
P.S MttJocy: I'm not following you through the forum, i noticed this was the last thread that had been posted to and took an interest
If you can do that Pikachu it would be great. :grin:
I'll see what i can do Amy
I'm getting all the contact details i need for radio stations in the north east of england, (well from Tees-side down to North Yorkshire, which is a big area) and i'll email them all with the information about Autistic Pride Day as soon as possible
Has anyone sent emails to the NAS and all the branches, because as a mother of an Aspling I would love to meet other parents who are proud of who thier children are. I only know one other parent who seems to share my views that our children are fantastic and not the dissapointment that a lot of parents seem to think. We plan on having picnic in the park with our family and friends, but it would be nice if other like minded people could join us.
Media is absolutely vital to making this a success. I speak as someone with several years of political activism under my belt. However, it is vital to remember that media work must be done in a particular way. What needs to happen is that offical (or at least official looking) press releases are sent - by e-mail - to relevant media outlets. NOTE THAT THERE IS A SPECIFIC WAY THAT THIS HAS TO BE DONE! Unless you know journalists or reporters who are sympathetic to our cause, send it to the editorial office. It should have the following as its content: 1. The phrase 'Aspies For Freedom Press Release - For Immediate Release'. 2. A headline. 3. Actual press release. 4. The word 'END'. 5. Name of person sending it & contact details (very important as they may want to get back to you if they're interested).
That is effectively the official format. I think it is a good idea if people on this forum went ahead and sent off press releases on behalf of AFF. However, in the interests of democracy, it might be an idea if anyone so doing sent a copy to this forum first so other people could have a look at it and make sure it says nothing that people here disagree with.
I would also caution the following (and I apologise if I'm sounding didactic at all but, as I say, this is what I've learnt as an activist in my part of the world. I also apologise if I'm saying anything really obvious):-
1. There is no point sending a general press release to local media about Autistic Pride Day unless there is a specific event planned in your area. Local media will disregard a press release that talks about an international event where there is no local connection. However, sending a general press release to *national* media might work. Releases to local media should link the international day to a local event - so if there's no local event in your area don't bother!
2. If you are sending a press release to local media, there is no point sending it before the last week before it happens. It's on a Saturday so local papers, radio etc should be covering it in the week before hand. BTW it's really important to be aware of deadlines! If a paper is publishing weekly on Thursday then they may need all press releases for that paper on their desk by Wednesday morning for example.
3. The central event appears to be in Seattle. I think that it is essential that this is built for by whoever is organising it in Seattle. The local & state media have to be informed. I am assuming that autism groups in the area are being informed, and that there is some form of advertising. Flyposting can be a good idea, although that depends on the legal situation for unauthorised postering in Seattle!
Is there perhaps anyone involved in Seattle on this forum who can tell us what's happening there?
Here endeth another long post!
Roderick
I do appreciate what you say - I'm disorganised myself & live almost entirely according to my diary, in which I write everything I plan to do.
My concern really is that AFF will fail to achieve its potential. There's always a danger with any group that it will end up being a tiny marginalised organisation with no influence at all on the wider body politic. Having surfed around the web, I am quite concerned that the autism rights movement appears to consist of small mostly on-line groups & that it spends most of the time 'talking to itself'. If you look at other groups campaigning on single issues, they find ways to grab media attention - and I think its mainstream media attention that we badly need.
A press release of the type that I outlined is actually not that difficult. Just write one and send it off. As I said, I don't think that there is any point just sending press releases anyway, but if there's an event in any particular area then *someone* in that area should be sending media in that area press releases & possibly making themselves available for interviews. I think that's what' s important.
Can I ask - where do you send the press releases exactly? And how much impact would you estimate that they have?
Cheers
Roderick
The google news alert thing sounds great. Do you know of any major news organisations that accept these alerts? What you say makes me feel a little more optimistic. I am still worried that we don't have a big public profile. Aside from Michelle Dawson's victory against ABA in Canada, I don't get the impression our movement has so far achieved a great deal - except anger curebie parents on internet forums & chat rooms! Maybe I'm getting a skewed impression of things. I know that in Britain there has only been one article in a mainstream newspaper - in "The Times" a while back I think it was - on the autism rights movement. On the other hand, some influential people, including Baron-Cohen and a senior guy at the NAS (forget his name now) are on our side! So maybe there is hope.
I still am very much of the opinion that the Seattle parade should be pushed in the media as strongly as possible - and it should be advertised across the area there. That could make the difference between there being a parade of a couple of dozen and one of several hundred. It would be great if there was a sizeable event there on 18 June and that there was some media present! How about if the organisers in Seattle invite all the media people to the event (or has that already been done)?
Cheers
Roderick
To continue on the media coverage, I have just sent an email to a local radio station's newsdesk to try and get publicity for APD in North Yorkshire
there is a copy of the original draft of the email on the wiki
http://www.aspiesforfreedom.org/wiki/ind...achu_Radio
I wasn't able to come yesterday. and i am anxious about chat realtime.
I do have an issue with this theme. I fear that most NT will have no idea what Nerodiversity means. Many NT's have an aversion to science-like words like that.
how much coverage did the last one get?
Go to the front page of this site, and click on the chatroom button at the left.
Then type in a name, no need for password, and accet the java applet download, when you see the chatroom, type in what you want to say and press enter.