Applications are open for the 2021 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy! The ACI summer leadership training prepares autistic students to engage in disability advocacy on their college campuses. ACI participants learn about making student groups, understanding disability policy, and talking to people in power. After the Academy, students get help from ASAN to meet their advocacy goals at their college. This year’s program will be held virtually from July 8th through the 16th, 2021.
“I think it one of the most impressive things about ACI is that we have the chance to also talk with other autistic students about our issues and our goals, and it really builds a community,” says 2017 program alum Esperanza Padilla. “Before ACI, I wasn’t aware of how powerful our stories were in terms of influencing social change, but after ACI I really realized how these stories could influence policy.”
Holding ACI virtually has been a new experience, but our 2020 class was still able to network with each other and learn all about advocacy and accessibility. But don’t just take our word for it! Check out this video to learn more about ACI from alumni of the program. [[link removed]]
Autism Campus Inclusion alum Jessica Benham is newly elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives! She says, “I highly recommend that autistic college students apply for ACI! It’s an incredible experience.”
To apply for Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI), you must:
- Be autistic. You do not have to have an official autism diagnosis to apply.
- Be a student at a college or university with at least one year left before you graduate. Students in TPSID programs (Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities), 2-year community colleges, 4-year colleges, and graduate school are eligible to apply.
- Live in the United States, Puerto Rico or Canada (Please note: the policy sections of our program will focus on the United States).
We especially encourage students of color, LGBT students, low-income students, students with intellectual disabilities, AAC users, and students from other marginalized communities to apply.
To apply, please submit a completed application by Sunday, March 7st, 2021 to Haley Outlaw at
[email protected].
If you need assistance or accommodations at any stage, or have any questions about ACI, please contact Haley Outlaw at
[email protected].
As Cassandra Crosman, a 2020 program alum, explains, “ACI means autistic community and autistic space. And it’s what I really hope the future can look like, for others to not only just accept us but to appreciate us as well.” Ready to find out what ACI means to you?
<div align="center" class="button-container center " style="padding-right:10px; padding-left:10px; padding-top:10px; padding-bottom:10px"><a href="[link removed]" style="display:block; text-decoration:none; -webkit-text-size-adjust:none; text-align:center; color:#ffffff; background-color:#0068a5; border-radius:4px; -webkit-border-radius:4px; -moz-border-radius:4px; max-width:196px; width:auto; border-top:0px solid transparent; border-right:0px solid transparent; border-bottom:0px solid transparent; border-left:0px solid transparent; padding-top:5px; padding-right:20px; padding-bottom:5px; padding-left:20px; font-family:Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:18px;">Download your application here!</span></a></div>
Autistic Self Advocacy Network
PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035
United States
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