May 2012 Newsletter: Engage, Excite, and Empower Together!

Read the newsletter on the ASAN's website:
http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394

From the Board
by Ari Ne'eman

When it comes to disability advocacy, the details matter. A lot. For many years, the self-advocacy movement has worked to put out the right messages and help communicate the values of inclusion, self-determination, and community integration to the broader disability world. In some ways, we have made tremendous progress. Even parent and provider organizations regularly pay lip service to the ideas we believe in. However, advocacy is about more than just ideas—it is about lived experiences. Our work isn't just about changing the rhetoric of the autism and disability worlds, it is about changing for the better the lives of Autistic people and other people with disabilities. In this regard, we still have much to do. Read more: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Article1

Prevalence of Autism at 1 in 88

by Lydia Brown

The latest CDC report about the frequency of autism places the prevalence of autism at 1 in 88, a new figure from the previous 1 in 110 prevalence. The prevalence among Blacks or African Americans jumped by over 90%, while the prevalence among Latinos or Hispanics increased by 110%. A much-higher prevalence of autism in people without documented intellectual disability brought the figure of Autistic people without intellectual disability to an estimated 62%, while the ratio of identified Autistic males to females grew wider, to five Autistic males for every Autistic female. Read more: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Article2

Disability Right Now Blog Goes Live
by Melody Latimer, interview by Spencer Hunley

Recently, a blog that takes on issues around disability written by people with various disabilities, called Disability Right Now (DRN), was created. The idea for the blog started when Erin Lewy, Editor in Chief and Project Organizer, was watching the play 8 about the trial of Prop 8. That’s when Erin realized there was real marriage equality issues  for people with disabilities.  Read more: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Article3

Volunteering for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a nonprofit organization by autistic people for autistic people. We are committed to being included in the nationwide conversation about autism. While public policy is a major emphasis, ASAN has many other aspects including many programs. These activities need people to sustain it.

Are you interested in our efforts? Do you have a little time each day? Week? Month? We invite you to fill out our volunteer form: http://autisticadvocacy.org/get-involved/volunteers
as we are always on the lookout for energetic autistic people and allies.

Loud Hands Project: Call for Proofreaders

The Loud Hands Project's first anthology is coming along, and we need an army of proofreaders! People interested in catching a first look at the anthology and helping catch typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors should email Julia Bascom by June 1st to be involved. The more the merrier!

Autism Network International Presents Autreat

July 2-6, 2012
Johnstown, PA

Autreat is a retreat-style conference run by autistic people, for autistic people and our friends. Autreat focuses on positive living with autism, NOT on causes, cures, or ways to make us look more normal: http://www.autreat.org/autreat.html

Recent News

New Members Named to Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#News1

DSM-5 Comments Sought on Autism Definition: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#News2

Autism Acceptance Celebrations: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#News3

Advocacy Updates

Judge Rotenberg Center Trial: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Advocacy1

CMS Proposes New Rule Defining Community: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Advocacy2

Call for Stories: Harassment in the Workplace: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Advocacy3

New Administration on Community Living: http://autisticadvocacy.org/?p=2394#Advocacy4