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!

Image by brgfx on Freepik

So far in 2024, ASAN has:

• Released an in-depth report on behavioral supports 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 and the barriers to access for transgender and nonbinary people with disabilities.
• Held trainings on Mpox and Covid-19, submitting public comments, advocacy 101, building organizing communities, and legislative advocacy 101. 
• Launched our Teighlor McGee Mini Grants program, which will announce its first recipients later this year.
• Held our 13th Autism Campus Inclusion summer leadership academy for autistic college students.
• And more!

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

In honor of all our Whale Wishers in our monthly membership program, 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.

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. We hope you’ll join us!

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. Whale be glad for your support!

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

 

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