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Join us for a special virtual edition of our annual celebration and fundraising event from November 17th through 19th. We’re so excited to share the gala with disability community members and allies from across the country and around the world, who usually wouldn’t be able to attend in-person.

We’re happy to announce the panelists who will be joining us for our panels on AAC users in films, racial disparities in public health, and racial disparities in community living.

A blue sign being pulled by a blue and orange train underneath photos of the panelists. Their names are above their heads, from left to right: Shivangi Agrawal, Héctor Manuel Ramírez, and Ryan Easterly. The sign says Racial Disparities in Public Health.

Racial Disparities in Public Health
Current systems have failed to serve people and communities of color in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those same systems have barred people of color, especially disabled people of color, from getting accessible health care. In this panel, three public health experts will discuss how racial disparities affect public health. The event will be held live on Zoom, but will also be streamed to YouTube. The event will remain on our YouTube channel after the event.
Panelists: Shivangi Agrawal, Héctor Manuel Ramírez, Ryan Easterly

A blue sign being pulled by a blue and orange train underneath photos of the panelists. Their names are above their heads, from left to right: Marrok Sedgwick, Huan Vuong, Jordyn Zimmerman, DJ Saverese, and Isaiah Tien Grewal. The sign says Centering AAC Users in Films.

Centering AAC Users in Film
It’s essential that we center non-speaking autistic people in autistic narratives. In this panel, five autistic AAC users involved in filmmaking discuss the impact of AAC users telling their own stories and the consequences of excluding AAC users in work about their lives. They also talk about representing multiply-marginalized AAC users in film. This panel is pre-recorded and will stream on Youtube only. The event will remain on our YouTube channel after the event.
Panelists: Marrok Sedgwick, DJ Savarese, Huan Vuong, Isaiah Tien Grewal, Jordyn Zimmerman

A blue sign being pulled by a blue and orange train underneath photos of the panelists. Their names are above their heads, from left to right: Valerie Novack, Gelila Selassie, Lucina Kayee. The sign says Racial Disparities in Community Living.

Racial Disparities in Community Living
Emergencies like hurricanes or pandemics shed light on pre-existing inequalities and systemic discrimination in our society, but those inequalities have been there long before. Many essential aspects of community living, like utilities, internet access, transportation, health care, incarceration, and foster care, are overlooked, even in conversations about community living. In this panel, three community living experts will discuss how racial disparities affect who can access community living and to what degree. The event will be held live on Zoom, but will also be streamed to YouTube. The event will remain on our YouTube channel after the event.
Panelists: Valerie Novack, Gelila Selassie, Lucina Kayee

We look forward to hearing from our panelists at our annual gala and hope that you can come celebrate with us!

We ask that our gala attendees donate if they are able, but no donation will be required to attend our virtual gala events. Proceeds will support our advocacy work and programs for the coming year, and allow us to continue working to empower disabled people across the country.

Master of Ceremonies: Hari Srinivasan

Awards for Service to the Self-Advocacy Movement: Ask Me, I’m an AAC User! and Mi Cerebro Atípico

Harriet McBryde Johnson Award for Nonfiction: Zack Budryk

Ally of the Year Award: Sandy Ho on behalf of the Disability & Intersectionality Summit

You can RSVP to our Facebook event and invite your friends!

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

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