Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)

We’re going to be putting out fewer statements, but that doesn’t mean we care any less. No matter what, ASAN is still fighting back and working towards making things better for everyone in our community.

ASAN’s 20th Anniversary Gala schedule has been updated! Join us on 10/29 for panels including No One Is Disposable, a conversation on the impact of federal immigration policy on people in our community and how we can help. Grab your gala tickets today to get the links! givebutter.com/asan-20th-an...

"Welcome to the Autistic Community", una guía de introducción a la historia de las personas autistas, a nuestra comunidad y a nuestros derechos, ya está disponible en español: autisticadvocacy.org/book/bienven...

Dr. Destiny Huff shared at our Parents and Self-Advocates webinar: “Lived experience is your best educator…like if my child uses an AAC device, then am I learning from people that use AAC devices?” Full webinar: youtu.be/Adq-ps9xInE?...

It’s Disabled Women’s Equal Pay Day! Disabled women have been doing more, with less, for too long. Join us to abolish the subminimum wage to ensure no disabled women are paid less than they are worth ever again:  livingwageforall.org/call

Researchers are looking for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) for a study about data stories. The researchers are trying to figure out the best ways to accessibly share data. idd-landing-seven.vercel.app

I-001 and I-638 make a lot of changes to Washington State's laws. I-001 changes your rights at school (K-12). I-638 is about who gets to play school sports. It bans trans girls from girls school sports teams. And it also makes girls who are not trans prove they're girls to play school sports.

Our right to live in community is under attack! Take action today by urging your elected officials to support the resolution reaffirming our right to live, work, and receive services in the community. autisticadvocacy.quorum.us/campaign/170...

We’re excited to announce our 2026 Gala Awardees. Get your tickets to our virtual gala so you can hear from them at our Award Ceremony on October 29th! givebutter.com/asan-20th-an...

Today is International Plain Language! To celebrate, take a look at our resource page – many of our toolkits are available in Easy Read and Plain Language! autisticadvocacy.org/resources/

Along with celebrating the cultures of Indigenous Peoples, today is a day to recognize the resilience and resistance of Indigenous people against colonialism and white supremacy. At ASAN, we uplift and celebrate all autistic and disabled Indigenous people today, and every day.

Joyner Emerick on the importance of building his child’s self-concept: “I think often first about how important it is to me that my child understands himself to be beautiful, to be loved, to be valuable, to be skilled.” Check out our full webinar here: youtu.be/Adq-ps9xInE?...

Thanks to our lead ASAN Gala sponsor this year @dirfloortime.bsky.social! They're longtime supporters of ASAN, and sponsored "For Whose Benefit" and our new toolkit about profound autism. We're very grateful for their consistent uplifting of self-advocate perspectives.

A recent newsletter from the Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism outlines recent leadership changes within the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) and how this isn’t an improvement. The newsletter also contains other recent autism-related news and resources. buttondown.com/TPGA/archive...

ASAN’s 20th anniversary virtual gala is coming soon! On Thursday October 29th, join us for two incredible panels and our awards ceremony. Get your sliding scale tickets today! givebutter.com/asan-20th-an...

Tuesday, November 3rd is Election Day! Make a plan to exercise your right to vote. Check out autisticadvocacy.org/vote/ to register to vote, check your voter registration, or learn more about voting.

People with disabilities are more likely to be sexually assaulted, but there are few accessible resources talking about sexual assault and how to get help. Our plain language & Easy Read Toolkit “What Do I Need to Know About Sexual Assault?” is out: autisticadvocacy.org/resources/pr...

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is a way to communicate without talking, like using a letter board or typing on an iPad. We want AAC available for anyone who needs it, and for all autistic people to be supported to communicate in the way that works best for us.

Want to learn more about your ballot? Join us at The Arc of King County to learn more about two initiatives. These initiatives could affect your rights. One says who gets to play school sports. One is about rights in school. This event is a safe space to learn and make your choice.

This month, our community has fought back against attacks on our rights and our futures. Learn what ASAN has been working on and how you can get involved. autisticadvocacy.org/2026/09/asan...

🎟️ Tickets are available for our 20th anniversary virtual gala now! This year’s theme is “Together We Thrive” – a celebration of our whole community and how we achieve more collectively. More info and registration here: givebutter.com/asan-20th-an...

Natasha Nelson shares her experience as an autistic parent: “if you yourself have autism, ADHD, you drop the ball sometimes…I myself have occupational therapy and group therapy and all of the things, and it is overwhelming.” Watch the full webinar for more: youtu.be/Adq-ps9xInE?...

Today is the 52rd Anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act! Take some time to learn about this important milestone in disability history!

Update to the Texas v. Kennedy case. Some community integration regulations from Section 504 of the Rehab. Act of 1973 will no longer be in effect. Full statement at: https://www.aapd.com/aapd-statement-on-ruling-vacating-community-integration-provisions-in-2024-section-504-rule/

The autistic self-advocacy movement would not exist without the work of the self-advocacy movement started by people with intellectual disabilities. We take pride in that history, and we see our work as a continuing part of that movement. autisticadvocacy.org/about-asan/w...

Want to learn about resources that are available to help families make their homes more accessible for disabled children? Check out this webinar from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health on September 29th, at 2pm ET. lpfch.zoom.us/webinar/regi...?

Lu Freitas from Proud Parents on patience in parenting: "it’s not because we just have to be patient with our children. We have to be patient with these systems.” Check out our full webinar about Parents & Autistic Self-Advocates: youtu.be/Adq-ps9xInE?...

Dividing up autism won’t help any autistic people! Our new plain language resource about “profound autism” explains how the term harms autistic people and why we are stronger together. autisticadvocacy.org/the-profound...

Our virtual gala is for everyone! Gala tickets are on a sliding scale, but donations are never required to attend. All donations support our advocacy work and programs for the coming year! givebutter.com/asan-20th-an...

Latine Heritage Month starts today, September 15th, and goes until October 15th. It is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and experiences of Latines, or people from Latin America. Here at ASAN, we celebrate and uplift disabled and autistic Latines!

It’s National Disability Voting Rights Week! Check out our newly updated plain language resource all about voting for self-advocates! autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolk...

New blog post! Gregory Tino, a leader in the nonspeaking community, writes about his experience with Spelling To Communicate (S2C). Read his full blog post: autisticadvocacy.org/2026/09/why-...

Join us on Thursday, October 29th for ASAN’s 2026 Gala! This virtual event is an extra special celebration of 20 years of ASAN! We’ll have panels and our awards ceremony – keep an eye out for the full schedule announcement! More info and get your tickets here: givebutter.com/asan-20th-an...

Update on the lawsuit, Texas v. Kennedy. Check out our Plain Language Explainer to learn more! We deserve a government that protects our rights. ASAN demands states continue to follow the integration mandate. autisticadvocacy.org/2026/09/texa...

🗳️ Do you need help understanding elections or voting? We updated our plain language toolkit, “Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.” autisticadvocacy.org/policy/toolk...

There are better ways to support our communities than ABA. Learn more in our resource, “Beyond Coercion and Institutionalization: People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Need for Improved Behavior Support Services”: autisticadvocacy.org/2024/05/beyo...

New blog post! Eli Rosa, a moderate support needs autistic self-advocate, writes about her personal experience with communication. Read her full blog post: autisticadvocacy.org/2026/08/chan...

Government committees should not be spreading lies like this. It is bad for research. It is bad for autistic people. It is bad for everyone. Our community deserves a better IACC. But we have power. Read our full statement here. autisticadvocacy.org/2026/09/take...

Indigenous folks face unique challenges when trying to access good home and community-based services. Join ASAN and @justiceinaging.org on Tuesday, September 29th at 4pm ET for a webinar to learn more! us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Anti-trans laws are anti-democracy. Any laws that discriminate against a group of people hurt inclusive democracy. DCDD believes that transgender people should be free to be who they are.

It seems repetitive to say this month has had its share of struggles, but we cannot treat the attacks on our communities as normal. We have continued to push back on the attacks on autistic people, our rights, and the supports we need to thrive. autisticadvocacy.org/2026/08/asan...

Trans and nonbinary people deserve access to gender affirming health care. Barriers like cost, restrictive rules, and new state laws can get in the way. Learn more with our resources, available in Easy Read and plain language. autisticadvocacy.org/resources/pr...

Join the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) for their webinar on voter education and engagement on September 15th at 4pm ET. us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The IACC has to meaningfully consider public comments, but they aren't! Email IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov to urge them to incorporate feedback from public comments. Nothing about us without us means that we must have a say in autism research priorities! autisticadvocacy.org/2026/08/comm...

Want to learn more about what’s happening right now and about some actions you can take? Check out our latest Plain Language Roundup! autisticadvocacy.org/2026/08/plai...

Medicaid work requirements will harm disabled people in many ways. This article explores the ways that Medicaid work requirements may impact Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) applicants. www.kff.org/medicaid/wha...

Illinois recently passed a law to expand supported decision-making. Supported decision-making is an alternative to guardianship where disabled people are given help to make their own choices about their lives. gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/gov-pritzker...

When Medicaid funds are reduced, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) are often the first ones cut. This HCBS Impacts Tracker Project will track changes to HCBS programs and how it impacts disabled people. hpmmatters.publichealth.gwu.edu/HCBS-impacts...

Autism research should help and include autistic people! Check out this report from the Autism Research for Us Symposium to learn more about the current issues in autism research and the importance of autistic-led research. policyimpactproject.org/establishing...