ASAN celebrates Autism Acceptance Day

On Saturday, April 2, ASAN-OSU/Central Ohio held a literary reading and art showing, titled Autistry, in observance of Autism Acceptance Day. Columbus-area autistic people shared their poetry, prose, and dramatic writing, and performed a dramatic reading of Jim Sinclair's Don't Mourn for Us.

The event took place at Travonna Coffee House during Columbus's Gallery Hop, a monthly art gallery event that attracts thousands of visitors. During the reading, dozens of spectators came in and out to listen to posautive perspectives on autism.

Noranne Kramer interacts with the audience

On a more personal note, our chapter found this to be an extremely rewarding and empowering event, something we hope to do again in the future. We had planned readers (i.e., those who indicated that they would read in advance), as well as open mic time. The coffee house also let us reserve their meeting room in the back, which we designated as a quiet room for anyone who needed it, allowing us to create an autistic-friendly atmosphere.

A view of the coffee house during intermission

Some of us read personal writing, while others recited favorite poems or read their favorite disability rights essays. During intermissions especially, we found ourselves drawn into long and fruitful conversations with coffee house patrons, many of whom just came in off the street. It was a wonderful way to celebrate autistic culture and to talk with people about the disability rights movement.

Justin Rooney reads a poem

To view more photos of the event, please visit our Flickr site.

Autistry: An Autistic Reading

Travonna Coffee House

1195 N. High Street, Columbus

Saturday, April 2

5:30-7:00pm

Autistic Pride buttons

Come join us as we celebrate the diversity of the autism spectrum. Drink some coffee and listen to some pos-autive perspectives on autism. Columbus-area autistic people will be sharing their poetry, prose, and dramatic writing, as well as performing a dramatic reading of Jim Sinclair's Don't Mourn for Us.

Autistry: Let our voices be heard.

Ari Ne'eman visits Ohio State

On November 29, Ari Ne'eman delivered a public lecture at Ohio State entitled "Neurodiversity and the College Campus," with over 50 people in attendance. Prior to the talk, an anonymous protester stood outside the conference room and handed out tracts that bore the following slogan: "'NEURODIVERSITY' is treatable with early detection." The author, who refused to name himself, claimed in the flyer that anyone who is autistic, by definition, cannot self-advocate, and additionally maintained that anyone belonging to ASAN is not disabled.

From left to right, top to bottom: Benzion, Noranne, Ari, Rachel, Melanie, and Justin

During his speech, Ari discussed the disability rights movement and the ways in which  autistic self-advocates have been systematically prevented from speaking in the conversations that concern them and their lives. During the Q&A session, the student president from the local Autism Speaks chapter made herself known and claimed that they were "just trying to help people like you." This exchange sparked a lengthy discussion, from autistic self-advocates, parents, and disability service professionals alike. Toward the end of the Q&A, one parent noted how appalled she was that so little funding from popular autism organizations went to quality of life issues.

Ari's talk was generously co-sponsored by the OSU Office of Student Life, the Autism Society of Central Ohio, and Aspirations Ohio. Video footage of the event (captioned) is available here.

Public Lecture: Ari Ne'eman, "Neurodiversity and the College Campus"

Time: Monday, November 29, 3:30pm - 5:00pm 
Location: 311 Denney Hall, 164 W. 17th Ave, Ohio State campus, Columbus

Public Lecture: Ari Ne'eman, "Neurodiversity and the College Campus"

Acceptance. Inclusion. Rights. This is the work of the burgeoning neurodiversity movement, work that is of utmost importance to local communities. What can students, faculty, and community members alike do to advocate for autistic rights and facilitate social change?

Ari Ne'eman is the Founding President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He is an autistic adult and a leading advocate in the neurodiversity movement, frequently briefing policymakers and speaking publicly on disability and autism policy issues. In 2009, President Obama nominated Ari to the National Council on Disability, a federal agency charged with advising Congress and the President on disability policy issues. He was confirmed by the Senate in July 2010. In April 2010, he was appointed by Secretary Sebelius as a public member to the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee.

Talk is free and open to the public.

Event sponsored by the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network at Ohio State, the Autism Society of Central Ohio, and Aspirations Ohio. Program brought to you by the Student Activity fee.

Facebook event page

Autistic Pride Day: Recap, Photos

Note: APD is typically held on June 18.

Eight ASAN members, led by ASAN Central Ohio Chapter Director Melanie Yergeau, celebrated Autistic Pride Day 2009 by visiting the Ohio statehouse on June 17, 2009 and meeting with two state representatives, Rep. Kevin Bacon and Rep. Ted Celeste. The group handed out flyers and briefly explained the goals and work of ASAN.

Several people shared stories about employment, education, and community living supports during the meeting with Rep. Bacon. Melanie Yergeau explained to him that ASAN is very ideologically different from Autism Speaks. Autistic culture also was discussed and compared to other disability communities, such as Deaf culture.

The meeting with Rep. Celeste began with a discussion of the social model of disability and ASAN's participation in cross-disability communities. Rep. Celeste talked about autism insurance and was knowledgeable about ABA and the issue of excluding aversives from coverage. He thanked the group for bringing this issue to his attention. ASAN plans to follow up by sending him relevant literature and studies on aversives.

ASAN's meeting with Rep. Kevin Bacon

ASAN's meeting with Rep. Ted Celeste

ASAN at the state house