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

Welcome back!

Hi Future Journalists!

Welcome to a new year with SPJ at Ohio State!

We have a lot of exciting things planned for this year, including guest speakers and celebrating SPJ's 100th anniversary. And with a new year comes new leadership, so meet your new Ohio State SPJ officers!


President: Molly Gray
"I am a senior studying journalism and international studies. I have worked for The Lantern for three years as a sports writer, arts editor, graphics editor and managing editor of design. I have aspirations to work for a newspaper doing international reporting. After I graduate in June, I hope to attend graduate school in the D.C. area."



Vice President: Zack Meisel
"I am a senior journalism/econ double major with an undying passion for sportswriting that's constantly challenged by neverending disappointment and heartbreak from my hometown Cleveland sports teams. I'll be entering my second year as sports editor for The Lantern in the fall and hope to continue to pursue a career in the field of sports journalism after graduation. This summer, I interned with the Cleveland Indians in the communications department."


Treasurer: Noah Brown

"I am a senior studying public affairs journalism, with a minor in Political Science. I am a member of the Politics Society and Laws Scholars Group. I hope to one day get into sports writing and broadcasting. I would love to be a baseball broadcaster, or to have my own sports radio talk show, probably in the Philadelphia area."


Relations Executive: Lauren Hallow

"I am (sadly) in my last year at Ohio State, where I am majoring in public affairs journalism and minoring in criminology. This is my second year writing for The Lantern, and this summer, I interned in the newsroom of WGN Radio. My dream is to write for a newspaper, but I'll work in any newsroom, really--print, radio, or television. I think I'm cool enough to make a difference..."


We had our first meeting a couple weeks ago, where we met representatives from The Lantern and Ology magazine. Keep an eye on the blog for information on future meetings, as well as links to journalism resources and general information on SPJ.

Hope to see you at our next meeting!

Media coverage of ASAN's Columbus Protest

Click here to view ABC 6's online coverage of ASAN's protest against Autism Speaks on October 10.

Below is the ABC 6 video about the walk and protest that aired on the 6pm and 11pm news on October 10. Please distribute widely. Nothing about us without us!

ASAN-OSU attends Nisonger Autism Institute

On Wednesday, June 23, Benzion Chinn, Patrick Meehan, Melanie Yergeau, Whitney Brooks, and Hillary Spears attended the first annual Nisonger Autism Institute at Ohio State, a day-long conference that focused on transition issues across the lifespan.

Melanie, Benzion, and Patrick

Attendees primarily included service providers and researchers, and to a lesser extent included parents. Out of over 100 people, Benzion, Patrick, and Melanie were the only autistic self-advocates in attendance. Both Benzion and Patrick presented on behalf of Aspirations Ohio regarding transition into adulthood.

Whitney, Hillary, and Melanie

During the institute, ASAN members distributed ASAN literature and autistic pride buttons to many in the audience; additionally, the editor of Disability Studies Quarterly distributed information about the journal's recent issue on neurodiversity, which features the work of several ASAN members and supporters.

ASAN-Central Ohio is currently drafting feedback for the institute's organizers. Other recaps of the day's events can be found at Benzion's blog and Melanie's twitter archive.

ASAN-Central Ohio at Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion, and Disability

On Wednesday, April 28, several members of ASAN-Central Ohio presented at the Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion and Disability conference at Ohio State. Presenters included Melanie Yergeau, Noranne Cochran, and Whitney Brooks (on behalf of Justin Rooney). Forty-two people were in attendance, and attendees included people with and without disabilities, educators, students, parents, friends, and professionals.

The panelists explored the various employment and education issues that autistic individuals face and approached these issues from a variety of perspectives: historical, social, cultural, and personal. ASAN-Central Ohio emphasized some practical ways in which employers and educators can create accessible environments for autistic people, as well as ways in which autistic individuals can effectively self-advocate for accommodations.

Melanie, president of ASAN-Central Ohio/OSU and PhD candidate, introduced the goals and work of ASAN and addressed the institutional barriers that autistic individuals routinely face in higher education (e.g., needing "non-traditional" accommodations and having difficulty getting needs met, participating in class and extracurricular/professionalization activities). She also shared some of her experiences as an autistic student, teacher, and researcher, and discussed best practices for creating more inclusive professional enviroments (e.g., respecting individual difference, encouraging alternate forms of participation, providing text transcripts/outlines of discussion points or conference papers, etc.).

Whitney, a PhD student at Ohio State, spoke on behalf of Justin Rooney (OSU staff) and provided a run-down of the many activities that ASAN-Central Ohio has engaged in over the past year. She also emphasized the necessity of connecting autistic individuals with others across disability communities and building larger communities of support.

Noranne, blogger and employee at a school for autistic children, shared some of her personal experiences as a student and employee. She also discussed the pros and cons associated with disclosing one’s disability to employers and colleagues,  how “coming out autistic” has the potential to provide understanding or cause alienation,  depending on the situation. Moreover, she stressed the need for educators and employers to regard autistic people first and foremost as individuals, and not as embodied stereotypes.

From left to right: Daisha, Melanie, Noranne, and Zachary sit at a lunch table

Noranne and Melanie in front of the Buckeye Brilliance wall