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Join us for a special virtual edition of our annual celebration and fundraising event every Tuesday in November! 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.

This year, we’re happy to announce several brand new awards, and even more opportunities to recognize the work of self-advocates in our community!

Receiving our Nothing About Us Without Us Award are Ma’ayan Anafi and Gavin Grimm!

Ma’ayan Anafi (they/them) is the Senior Counsel for Health Equity and Justice at the National Women’s Law Center. Their work focuses on a range of topics related to meaningful access to health and health care, including issues facing disabled and LGBTQI+ people. Earlier this year, they authored the report Forced Sterilization of Disabled People in the United States, which revealed that 31 states and DC currently have laws explicitly permitting forced sterilization of disabled people. In their personal capacity, Ma’ayan is co-leading a national survey of trans disabled people with the Transgender Law Center’s Disability Project, set to launch in 2023. Prior to working at NWLC, Ma’ayan was the Policy Counsel and Research Associate at the National Center for Transgender Equality. Ma’ayan received their J.D. from Harvard Law School and their B.A. from the University of Toronto. They live in Washington, DC with their delightfully chaotic cats, Bunny and Squeak.

Gavin Grimm is a 23 year old autistic, transgender man and activist in the transgender community. In 2015, Grimm was banned from the boys bathroom at his high school in Gloucester County, Virginia. Grimm and the ACLU sued the school board and won in 2021 after a years-long battle that saw his case before the Supreme Court before ultimately being decided in the 4th circuit. Grimm continues to advocate for transgender people, especially youth in school settings. He also brings his perspective as an autistic man into conversations about gender and trans rights in and out of schools. Grimm left his hometown but still resides in Virginia with his 17 year old cat, Rascal.

Jordyn Zimmerman, M.Ed., currently works as the Director of Professional Development at The Nora Project. In this role, she supports educators in their efforts to teach all students about disability as a valued and expected part of human diversity.

Prior to joining TNP, Jordyn earned her bachelor's degree in Education Policy from Ohio University and her Masters of Education at Boston College. As a nonspeaking autistic student who was denied access to effective augmentative communication until she was 18, Jordyn has personal experience challenging the educational status quo, which is featured in the 2021 documentary, This Is Not About Me. Jordyn frequently keynotes and presents at conferences, is board chair of CommunicationFIRST, and serves on the board of Hillel International. Most recently, Jordyn was appointed to serve on the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities.

An avid advocate for all students, Jordyn is passionate and determined to make a difference in the world of education — making sure everyone is able to access effective communication and exercise their right to a truly inclusive education that honors students as they are.

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

Pick and choose which events to attend this November or join us all five evenings—your ticket is good for all events! Secure your spot now by registering here. 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.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

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