Summer is winding to a close, but ASAN is still surfing the policy waves in the name of self advocacy. Our team’s been hard at work keeping on top of the waves, and all that advocacy work has drawn some unexpected interest from some aquatic friends who love surfing the web.

August has brought a pod of advocacy-hungry whales surfing their way into ASAN’s corner of the internet. Much like their real-world counterparts, who can eat up to 8,000 pounds (3,600 kilograms) of krill a day, these digital giants have big appetites for advocacy facts. All the ways our team has been busy this year has drawn them in from the far corners of the web!

Artwork of a desktop computer with water on the screen, with a whale and three birds coming out of the screen [[link removed]]
Image by brgfx on Freepik

So far in 2024, ASAN has:

* Released an in-depth report on behavioral supports [[link removed]] and how they can be changed to better support self-advocates, in Easy Read, plain language and as a white paper.
* Released plain language and Easy Read resources on gender affirming care [[link removed]] and the barriers to access [[link removed]] for transgender and nonbinary people with disabilities.
* Held trainings on Mpox and Covid-19 [[link removed]], submitting public comments [[link removed]], advocacy 101 [[link removed]], building organizing communities [[link removed]], and legislative advocacy 101 [[link removed]].
* Launched our Teighlor McGee Mini Grants program [[link removed]], which will announce its first recipients later this year.
* Held our 13th Autism Campus Inclusion [[link removed]] summer leadership academy for autistic college students.
* And more!

This work would not be possible without the support of our community. Your donations [[link removed]] don’t just give the internet’s aquatic creatures enough food for a full feeding frenzy, your support [[link removed]] puts important resources into the hands of self-advocates!

In honor of all our Whale Wishers in our monthly membership program [[link removed]], we’re hosting a special event later this month with whale acoustics expert, Julianne Wilder!

Julianne Wilder works with the Passive Acoustics Branch at NOAA's Northeast Fisheries Science Center, specializing in analyzing acoustic data collected in real-time on ocean gliders and buoys that are used to let boaters know when whales are in the area. She also runs the training program for new acoustic analysts, teaching them how to identify baleen whale calls to track their movements along the U.S. East Coast.

We would love for you to join us on August 22, 2024 at 6:00 PM ET for this free online event. [[link removed]]

Wilder will give a short presentation on whale acoustics before answering questions from the audience. This event is free to attend and open to anyone who registers [[link removed]]. We hope you’ll join us!

Want to help us do more for our community? Your support [[link removed]] 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 [[link removed]]
* Or become a member and get exclusive perks here [[link removed]]
* Start a Facebook fundraiser [[link removed]] at no cost to you, and share with friends
* Buy a copy of Loud Hands or another one of our books here [[link removed]]
* Get a sticker or other item from our Threadless shop [[link removed]]

Spread the word about us! You can tell your friends about us on social media, via email, or in person. Whale be glad for your support!


Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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