Dear friend,

My name’s Katy Spoon, I’m part of the canine contingent of the ASANimals crew. I’m writing to you from the office of my human, ASAN’s Director of Advocacy, Zoe Gross. The humans at ASAN have spent a lot of time researching and writing on their computers on important new policies that affect self-advocates, big systemic issues that impact people’s rights and access to care, and knowledge to help self-advocates make choices in their relationships. We, the ASANimals, have provided integral moral support by laying on laps and howling for treat breaks. This work would not be possible without your generous support.

This year, in between our walks together, Zoe and her human coworkers at ASAN continued to release toolkits in plain language and Easy Read formats to put crucial information into the hands of self advocates. We’ve covered many subjects including:

• Continuing our Proud and Supported Series with two different toolkits, one on practicing Safer Sex and one on sexual assault. These Easy Read toolkits provide clear, accurate information to support self advocates in navigating healthy intimate relationships and knowing how and when to access help if their boundaries are being violated.

• In 2023, we translated Welcome to the Autistic Community, our resource for self-advocates who are just learning about their autistic identity, into Spanish in collaboration with Mi Cerebro Atípico and other Spanish-speaking self-advocates.

• We released a toolkit explaining structural racism and the ways it impacts the lives of disabled people of color. This toolkit follows up on our Crisis in our Communities toolkit. In 2024, we plan to release a toolkit on racism in United States history. 

• In response to the release of the HCBS Settings rule, we updated our existing HCBS Settings Rule Resources with more information about how to raise grievances, and what rights people have in different settings.

These toolkits give self advocates crucial information to make choices about their lives and your generous support is a crucial part of this work. Whether you choose to give a single gift or join ASAN’s monthly membership program (where you can get cool treats of your own) every gift made to ASAN puts accessible knowledge in the hands of self advocates across the country. 

Fall is giving way to winter chill and Zoe and I need matching sweaters on our afternoon walk breaks. As the year draws to a close, I hope you’ll include ASAN in your end of the year giving so Zoe and the rest of the ASAN team can put their best paw forward. I’ve been sitting in on their planning meetings and I’m pawsitive you will love the resources they’re planning for 2024.  

I know your support means a lot to Zoe and the ASAN team. Each toolkit that’s released takes months of research, drafting, peer reviews and revisions before it reaches self-advocates, and your support makes that long, thorough process possible. Thank you. 

Want to help us do more for our community? Your support lets us make sure everyone has accessible information about the issues that affect them. Here’s how you can help us keep that going:

• Donate to us directly here

• Or become a member and get exclusive perks here

• Start a Facebook fundraiser at no cost to you, and share with friends

• Buy a copy of Loud Hands or another one of our books here

• Get a sticker or other item from our Threadless shop

• Spread the word about us! You can tell your friends about us on social media, via email, or in person

Too often, the information our communities need to thrive is inaccessible to us. The ASANimals are grateful for the way you support our human’s work creating accessible, up-to-date toolkits and resources to make sure people with disabilities know their rights and how to access them. Thank you for all you do to support ASAN.

Sincerely,
Katy Spoon

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

 

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