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ASAN April Newsletter
Red flowers in the rain [[link removed]]
Dear friend,
April showers bring May flowers, and April fights bring us our rights! Read on for updates about what we’ve been up to this month and what is to come.
Unfortunately, this was an especially difficult month for our transgender siblings. Laws and regulations that seek to deny gender-affirming health care [[link removed]] , threaten the rights of trans people to access necessary, often lifesaving care. A regulation introduced in Missouri also discriminates based on disability. It will create barriers to gender-affirming care for autistic people and people with mental health disabilities. ASAN condemns [[link removed]] these and similar laws that aim to restrict the rights of all transgender folks. We will look for opportunities to fight against these restrictions, especially those that use disability as a justification, or that target people with disabilities. We stand with LGBTQ+ community organizations that are working to stop these measures in states.
This month saw the introduction of a Guardianship Bill of Rights Act that would protect important civil rights, make guardianship rarer, & other important steps towards ending guardianship. In our statement [[link removed]] , we call on Congress to pass the Act without delay.
We hosted a two-day training on the Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule! This Rule is all about our right to receive services that are truly community-based and that respect our rights. The training prepared self advocates to inform people in their communities about the setting rule, and gave strategies on what to do if your state is not following the rule. If you missed the training, you can watch parts of it here! [[link removed]]
We’re encouraging our community to write an opinion editorial (also known as an op-ed) for their local news! Op-eds [[link removed]] are a way to ask people to do something, and show them why they should take action, using evidence. They are a powerful way to make your voice heard, and let people know what issues matter to our community. Learn more with our new blog post. [[link removed]]
Structural racism is built into our systems—that means systems that are built racist, stay racist. That’s why it’s so important to talk about and actively work against structural racism. Our newest toolkit, “What is Structural Racism?” [[link removed]] talks about how these systems have evolved and continue to harm people of color.
Through the support of a team of translators, we are happy that Welcome to the Autistic Community is now available in Spanish! Welcome to the Autistic Community is an introductory guide to autistic people’s history, community and our rights. Check out Bienvenidos a la Comunidad Autista [[link removed]] and share widely!
As we wrap up another Autism Acceptance Month, we are honored and grateful to be a part of celebrating autistic culture and community. Acceptance is an action, and we’re here to help you take that action [[link removed]] every day, even when Autism Acceptance Month is over. Whether that’s through accessible resources [[link removed]] so everyone can understand information about issues that affect their lives or action alerts [[link removed]] to provide key information and advocacy scripts, we work to give autistic people the tools we need for self-advocacy.
In solidarity and celebration,
The Team at ASAN
This month, the policy team:
Urged the Department of Health and Human Services to issue the notice of proposed rulemaking for Section 504 regulations immediately [[link removed]] . Section 504 is crucial to people with disabilities, but the regulations have not been updated for decades and do not adequately address issues we’re facing today.
Joined a letter opposing cutting Medicaid and adding work requirements for Medicaid as a member of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities (CCD), and the Disability and Aging Collaborative (DAC).
Endorsed the Protecting Our Students in Schools Act; a bill that prohibits the use of corporal punishment in schools.
Submitted comments encouraging a streamline of the Social Security’s in-kind support and management (ISM) policy, including omitting food from the ISM calculations. ISM calculations are ridiculous and often cruel, having SSI recipients calculate the monetary value of sleeping on someone’s couch, for example - with the risk of losing their benefits even if they do it right!
Fought the Medicaid unwinding that puts many families at risk of losing health care. Keep an eye out for more information on our social media about this important issue.
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New toolkit: What is Structural Racism? [[link removed]]
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ASAN Statement on the Guardianship Bill of Rights Act [[link removed]]
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Bienvenidos a la Comunidad Autista! [[link removed]]
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Update: ASAN condemns restrictions on gender-affirming care [[link removed]]
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ASAN Condemns Medicaid Funding Cuts and Work Requirements in House Debt Ceiling Proposal [[link removed]]
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This Autism Acceptance Month, use your writing to advocate for our community! [[link removed]]
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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