Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

September 15, 2021 at 7:44 PM

New resources on disability and reproductive rights

EmailTemplate-Responsive We are proud to have joined the National Partnership for Women & Families in creating four new reports on disability and reproductive rights. Everyone has the right to make their own informed decisions about sex, health care, and parenting — but disable…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

September 14, 2021 at 2:01 PM

FWD: Congress needs to hear from YOU — call today for HCBS!

EmailTemplate-Responsive For months, we’ve been calling on Congress to pass a COVID-19 relief bill that includes robust funding for home- and community-based services (HCBS). During the COVID-19 pandemic, community services are more crucial than ever. Underfunding HCBS can leave pe…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

September 13, 2021 at 8:01 PM

Join our call-in for community services TOMORROW!

EmailTemplate-Responsive This week, the House is finalizing the contents of the next COVID recovery package. Congressional leaders and President Biden have committed to significant funding for home and community-based services — but as negotiations wrap up, there’s a chance the dis…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

September 13, 2021 at 2:00 PM

🗳 Your vote is your voice! Make sure you’re registered today! 🗳

EmailTemplate-Responsive It’s National Disability Voter Registration Week! Everything from education funding to curb cuts to health care is affected by public policies, and voting is a hugely important way to have a say in those policies. That’s why it’s so important that all peopl…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

September 10, 2021 at 8:10 PM

ASAN Commends FDA’s Move to Appeal Judge Rotenberg Center Ruling

EmailTemplate-Responsive ASAN is pleased that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has filed an appeal to a court ruling that would enable the Judge Rotenberg Center to continue using skin shocks on disabled people.    In 2020, the FDA banned the use of skin shock devices on peop…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

September 9, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Save the date(s)! Our annual gala is coming up in November!

EmailTemplate-Responsive All aboard! Join us for this year’s virtual gala, featuring events and activities spread across three evenings instead of just one. Our first virtual gala last year was a roaring success -- having it online means more people can join in, and we hope you wi…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

August 31, 2021 at 10:00 PM

Food or diapers - why choose?

ome families have to decide between basic essentials such as food and diapers. www.cmca.us John    Everyone knows how critical diapers are to the well-being of a baby. Babies genera…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

August 31, 2021 at 8:01 PM

🏖️ ASAN August Update 🏖️

Newsletter 6 w members Check out what we've been up to this August! ASAN August Newsletter Dear friends, As #WeActAugust winds down, we wanted to thank you for choosing to take action and fight for disabled…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

August 24, 2021 at 8:02 PM

ACTION AUGUST: We owe it to our community to finish strong.

EmailTemplate-Responsive The month is drawing to a close, but our fight is not. We’ve been updating you all month about the most pressing issues affecting our community and how you can take action. Each action is just a few clicks away. We need you to make those clicks, take your p…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

August 17, 2021 at 8:00 PM

ACTION AUGUST is still going strong, and so are we!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Welcome to week three of Action August! We’re keeping up the fight on five critical issues for the disability community. Join some or all of these important email campaigns and make your voice heard -- with no need to use the phone! Get involved in grassro…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

August 12, 2021 at 9:00 PM

5 Things You Want to Know

Here's the latest news from CMCA!   Dear John,   Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has. —Margaret Mead   Throughout our 56 ye…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

August 10, 2021 at 8:00 PM

ACTION AUGUST: Keep it going!

EmailTemplate-Responsive We’re one week into Action August! You’ve been doing great work so far making yourself heard. Keep up the good work with these opportunities for advocacy, and be sure to stay in touch by joining the Facebook event here.   This Action August, you can take pa…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

August 2, 2021 at 3:00 PM

It's Action August and we need your advocacy!

EmailTemplate-Responsive This month is Action August! There are so many important issues you can take action on this month, and best of all—you don’t have to make a single phone call! Read on to learn about all of the opportunities for advocacy during Action August. #StopTheShock…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 30, 2021 at 8:01 PM

🌴 ASAN July Update 🌴

Newsletter 6 w members Check out what we've been up to this July! ASAN July Newsletter Dear friends, This has been a busy month for ASAN, full of advocacy and new resources to share. We celebrated the 31st …

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  The Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM

Fwd: Join us TODAY to support the Better Care, Better Jobs Act!

The disability community hasn’t been a priority of economic recovery in COVID relief legislation, but we’re about to change that. Join our call-in today to demand the passing of the Better Care, Better Jobs Act!   31 years after the ADA was signe…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 28, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Uphold the promise of the ADA with our new guide to accessible writing

EmailTemplate-Responsive This week marks the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act—and what better way to celebrate than to make your writing more accessible? Our newest toolkit will help you write in Easy Read, an accessible format that uses images and easy-to-un…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

July 27, 2021 at 7:30 PM

Art, food, fun and you

Join CMCA at Tigers on the Prowl, Sept. 14   Tigers on the Prowl 2021 Tuesday, September 14, 2021 | 5:30-8:30 PM Holiday Inn Executive Center, 2200 I-70 DR. SW, Columbia, MO  Dear John    Joi…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 26, 2021 at 8:00 PM

🏠 Action Alert: Join our week of action for community living! 🏠

EmailTemplate-Responsive The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many of the dangers of institutionalization. Expanding home- and community-based services (HCBS) would ensure that disabled people can live in our communities while also getting the services and supports we need to thrive. To e…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 23, 2021 at 3:00 PM

Action Alert: grassroots efforts to #StopTheShock

EmailTemplate-Responsive All of us were stunned and outraged when earlier this month, a federal appeals court overturned the FDA’s ban on electric shock devices used at the Judge Rotenberg Center. As long as the residents of the JRC, most of whom are disabled people of color, are i…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

July 21, 2021 at 6:15 PM

What is "Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants"?

What is "Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants"?   Hi John! It’s Cheryl here at Central Missouri Community Action. Do you know what "Two Chairs and Some Potted Plants is?" Curious about the programs we offer here at CMCA? Take a moment to watch this video made just for you to learn …

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

July 16, 2021 at 3:30 PM

5 Things You Want to Know

CMCA monthly update   Dear John, col·lab·o·ra·tion - the action of working with someone to produce or create something.   When you think of Central Missouri Community Action, we hope the word collaboration comes to mi…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 13, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Fwd: Keep up the great work to support real work for real pay!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Thank you for continuing to take action on ending the subminimum wage for people with disabilities. You’ve contacted your elected officials — now, we need to keep up the pressure.   Continuing to show that our community supports TCIEA is critical to making …

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 7, 2021 at 7:16 PM

Autism Research: Nothing About Us, Without Us!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Today, the new membership of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) was announced. The IACC is a committee that advises the federal government on autism issues and oversees federal autism research spending. Since its creation, ASAN has called …

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 6, 2021 at 10:32 PM

ASAN Denounces Court Ruling on Electric Skin Shock

EmailTemplate-Responsive The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is heartbroken and outraged by today’s court decision striking down a regulation that would have banned the use of the graduated electronic decelerator (GED), a skin shock device used on people with disabilities. These dev…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 6, 2021 at 8:00 PM

ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress to keep our students safe!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Restraint and seclusion can be life-threatening and are often incredibly traumatic. They are disproportionately used on students with disabilities and students of color. The Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) would ban almost all kinds of restraint and a…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

July 2, 2021 at 8:00 PM

☀️ ASAN June Update ☀️

Newsletter 6 w members Check out what we've been up to this June! ASAN June Newsletter Dear friends, We hope you had a wonderful Pride month! Our community has had plenty to celebrate and feel proud of this…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

June 29, 2021 at 8:00 PM

There’s still time to join us for the Vaccine Month of Action

EmailTemplate-Responsive COVID-19 has changed the way we live. We do things differently to stay safe from COVID-19. We’ve been staying at home a lot, wearing masks when we go out, and it can be harder to get the services we need. How will things get back to normal? The COVID-19 vac…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

June 24, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Vaccines work — make your vaccine gameplan! 💉💪

EmailTemplate-Responsive The COVID-19 vaccines are extremely effective in preventing death, serious illness, and hospitalization from COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Working together, we can bridge this gap &a…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

June 21, 2021 at 2:00 PM

Do you want to know why we come to work?

CMCA monthly update   Dear John,   What words come to your mind when you think about Central Missouri Community Action or CMCA? Perhaps one or more of our many programs like Head Start, Energy Assistance, or Weatheriz…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

June 17, 2021 at 8:01 PM

This is our shot to stay safe from COVID-19!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Vaccines have been a safe and important tool for preventing life-threatening diseases for decades, from the flu to polio to the measles, and now COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and they give us the chance to play our part in protecting our loved o…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

June 10, 2021 at 8:02 PM

Why is it still legal to pay people pennies on the dollar?

EmailTemplate-Responsive Congress is poised to take bold action in ensuring inclusive, equitable jobs for everyone by passing the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA). If passed, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act would end submin…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

June 1, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Tell Congress: Disabled People Deserve Equal Pay!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Over 80 years ago, the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed, and people with disabilities were excluded from minimum wage protections. This left disabled people underpaid for decades. It is past time to fix this injustice. The Transformation to Competitive E…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

May 28, 2021 at 9:28 PM

🌼 ASAN May Update 🌼

Newsletter 6 w members Check out what we've been up to this May! ASAN May Newsletter Dear friends, Heat, humidity, and Brood X cicadas… What a summer this is shaping up to be! As we start to enjoy the chang…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

May 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM

What would you give to get together with friends?

Join us for Tigers on the Prowl and celebrate being together again while supporting CMCA!   Tigers on the Prowl 2021 Tuesday, September 7 | 5:30-8:30 PM Holiday Inn Executive Center, 2200 I-70 DR. SW, Columbia, MO  …

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

May 26, 2021 at 8:01 PM

ASAN Urges Congress to Pass the Keeping All Students Safe Act

EmailTemplate-Responsive ASAN commends Congress for its reintroduction of the Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA). KASSA would ban almost all kinds of restraint and all kinds of seclusion across all 50 states, and would require school districts to collect data to prevent further …

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

May 20, 2021 at 2:00 PM

Have you ever wondered what we do?

CMCA monthly update Dear John, Did you know that May is National Community Action Month? It's a month set aside each year to celebrate the work being done by Community Action Agencies across the United States. Because you've walked alongside us as…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

May 18, 2021 at 8:00 PM

ASAN Repudiates Comments Linking Autism and Violence at Capitol January 6th

EmailTemplate-Responsive This morning, Talking Points Memo published an article featuring quotes from Albert Watkins, an attorney representing Jacob Chansley. Chansley was a prominent participant in the invasion of the Capitol building on January 6th, 2021, which was intended to ov…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

May 14, 2021 at 2:04 PM

Yes, you are ready to make a promise!

    Sometimes, a helping hand is all someone needs During the summer of 2019, Vanessa said her life was, “spiraling out of control.”   Determined to start her life anew, Vanessa packed up everythi…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

May 11, 2021 at 2:15 PM

Will you make a promise?

    Ramone needs your help!  When Ramone — the father of a child who attends Head Start — needed help getting his car fixed so that he could go to work and take his son to school, our CMCA staff h…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 30, 2021 at 8:00 PM

☔ ASAN April Update ☔

Newsletter 6 w members Check out what we've been up to this April! ASAN April Newsletter Dear friends, As we wrap up another Autism Acceptance Month, we are honored and grateful to be a part of celebrating …

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 29, 2021 at 8:00 PM

ACTION ALERT: tell Congress to support real work for real pay!

EmailTemplate-Responsive People with disabilities live better lives when we are included in our local communities. That’s just as true when it comes to work as it is for education and housing. With the right supports, people with all kinds of disabilities and support needs can have…

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  Cheryl Unterschutz · [email protected]

April 29, 2021 at 2:55 PM

April Update from CMCA

April Update from CMCA   Hi John! It’s Cheryl here at Central Missouri Community Action. As a valued donor I want to be sure you know what's happening here at CMCA. There are always great things happening so once monthly I'll be sending a quick update via video, email, or text j…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 22, 2021 at 8:00 PM

It's time to tell your story and make a difference!

EmailTemplate-Responsive Telling your story is a great way to make a difference — and because it’s your story, there’s no one better to tell it! Too often, disabled people are told that our personal stories are “inspiring,” or encouraged to share our stories as a way to make others…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 20, 2021 at 10:01 PM

ASAN Statement on the Conviction of Derek Chauvin

EmailTemplate-Responsive Last year, former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd, a Black man, by kneeling on his neck for nine and a half minutes. This murder was inexcusable, and part of a systemic pattern of police violence that disproportionately affect…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 8, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Celebrate autistic history with our “Loving Lampposts” panel! 📜

EmailTemplate-Responsive Let’s celebrate Autism Acceptance Month by learning how far the neurodiversity movement has come -- and how much further we still need to go. One of the many ways we can celebrate our culture is by reflecting on our history, and seeing how things have chang…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 6, 2021 at 8:00 PM

Check out our new booklet for parents of autistic kids! 🌍

EmailTemplate-Responsive Too often, when parents find out their kid is autistic, they receive negative messages from all sides. Many resources available to parents stigmatize autism and talk about it as something to be “overcome,” not as a part of who an autistic child is. At ASAN,…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 5, 2021 at 8:00 PM

ASAN Welcomes Legislation To End Subminimum Wage

EmailTemplate-Responsive ASAN applauds Congress for the introduction of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA). If passed, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act would end subminimum wage for people with disabilities, and create new…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 2, 2021 at 4:05 PM

Acceptance is an Action: ASAN Statement on 10th Anniversary of Autism Acceptance Month

EmailTemplate-Responsive ASAN is pleased to commemorate the 10th annual Autism Acceptance Month this year. Over the past ten years, autistic advocates have transformed our society’s conversation around autism — but much remains to be done before we can truly fulfill the promise of …

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

April 1, 2021 at 6:00 PM

❤️ It’s Autism Acceptance Month! ❤️

EmailTemplate-Responsive Dear John, This month marks Autism Acceptance Month, our chance to celebrate our community and what makes us unique.  At ASAN, we’re celebrating in many ways, including launching giveaways, hosting a discussion on how the neurodiversity movement has changed…

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  Autistic Self Advocacy Network · [email protected]

March 31, 2021 at 7:30 PM

🌱ASAN March Update 🌱

Newsletter 6 w members Check out what we've been up to this March! ASAN March Newsletter Dear friends, This has been a difficult month for many of our community members. We began the month with the virtual …

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