Applications are open for the 2022 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 from July 11th through 20th, 2022. This year’s program will be held in person, if it is safe to do so. If we cannot have ACI in person, we will hold it virtually.

"ACI welcomed me to reflect on my work as a self advocate and collaborate alongside peers towards developing a more accepting community for disabled college students," says 2021 program alum Nicole Yee. “ACI was the first time I got to advocate alongside fellow autistic self advocates.”

ACI is a chance to network with other autistic students 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]]

Deanna Hughes, 2021 program alum, says, “ACI meant that I found community, connections, and more bright spots and light in this world that can sometimes feel pretty bleak. It also gave me more strength to identify ableism and to stand strong against it by knowing I'm not alone.”

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 or Canada. This includes all 50 states, all US territories, and all provinces and territories of Canada. (Please note: the policy sections of our program will focus on the United States) You do not have to be a citizen of either the US or Canada.

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 6th, 2022 to Meredith Bartley, [email protected] [[email protected]] .

If you need assistance or accommodations at any stage, or have any questions about ACI, please contact Meredith Bartley, [email protected] [[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?

Download your application here! [autisticadvocacy.org/aci]


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