The goals of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) are to advance the autistic culture movement and to improve the representation of the autistic community in public policy deliberations about autism and disability affairs. The Central Ohio chapter of ASAN seeks to provide opportunities for social and community involvement in and around the Columbus area.
As listed in the previous post of upcoming meetings, we have a meeting tomorrow, October 24, from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
The meeting will be in the Flag Room of the Center for Student Leadership and Service in OSU's Ohio Union.
The Center for Student Leadership and Service is located on the second floor of the southwest side of the Union, right above Sloopy's Diner. When you enter the Center for Student Leadership and Service, the Flag Room should be roughly across from you.
On Sunday, October 9, ASAN-Central Ohio protested Autism Speaks' Walk Now for Autism on the Ohio State campus. Approximately 15 Autistic individuals and cross-disability allies protested Autism Speaks' lack of family and community support, its high executive pay, its lack of Autistic representation, and its eugenic aims.
Several protesters hold signs at a street corner. Signs variously read SUPPORT LOCAL FAMILIES, SUPPORT NEUROLOGICAL DIVERSITY, and DISABILITY RIGHTS.
Protesters heavily emphasized that Autism Speaks only gives 2% of money raised to families and local communities. Several walkers interacted with the group, some kind and supportive, others not. One such negative encounter involved a walker who screamed at her young daughter, "Don't you dare go near those people!" At other points, walkers cursed, waved the middle finger, and told protesters they should feel ashamed of themselves.
Josh, Corbin, Tiffany and children, Justin, and Jessie hold signs and flyers. Signs variously read DISABILITY RIGHTS = HUMAN RIGHTS, SUPPORT AUTISM ORGS THAT SUPPORT AUTISTIC PEOPLE, and AUTISTIC? TALK 2 US.
Despite the hostility, protesters were able to have productive conversations with walkers. Rep. Ted Celeste stopped by and expressed his appreciation. Additionally, several individuals and families took ASAN flyers and engaged in conversations about why Autism Speaks does not speak for autistic people.
We have a meeting tomorrow, Monday Oct. 10, from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
The meeting will be in the Presidents Room of the Center for Student Leadership and Service in OSU's Ohio Union.
The Center for Student Leadership and Service is located on the second floor of the southwest side of the Union, right above Sloopy's Diner. When you enter the Center for Student Leadership and Service, the Presidents Room should be roughly across from you.
Tomorrow (Sunday, October 9) is Autism Speaks’ annual Walk for Autism in Columbus. And tomorrow our local chapter of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network will unite in protest against Autism Speaks and their lack of community support, their high rates of executive pay, their lack of autistic representation, and their unethical advertising practices.
ASAN-Central Ohio is so grateful for the outpouring of support that our chapter has received from people across, quite literally, the world. But as we approach tomorrow’s protest, we’d like to ask that as many people as possible (wherever you live) could help us inundate our local press affiliates with emails and phone calls.
Here is the contact information for Columbus-area media affiliates:
What you might say if you call or write (feel free to edit):
Hi! My name is _____ . (If you live in Ohio, you might say so. If you’re active in or support ASAN or another disability-related org, you might mention this as well. If you are Autistic or are related to or work with someone on the spectrum, you might mention this as well.)
I’m calling/writing because I have a story you might be interested in. Autistic advocates and their supporters are protesting the Autism Speaks walk in Columbus on the Ohio State campus on Sunday, October 9, from 8:30am until noon. They’re protesting Autism Speaks’ lack of family support. Only 2% of money raised by Autism Speaks goes to families. Given the severe budget cuts facing us today, this is outrageous. Autism Speaks is taking money from Ohio families in desperate need of support and services.
Autism Speaks doesn’t speak for us!
== PROTEST DAY & TIME: Sunday, October 9 from 8:30am until noon (Facebook event page)
PROTEST LOCATION: Corner of Fred Taylor and Borror Drive, by the 4H Center, Ohio State campus (campus map)
For the rest of OSU's fall quarter, we will be having two meetings a month, on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
All meetings are in the Center for Student Leadership and Service in OSU's Ohio Union, but the precise room varies between Presidents Room and Flag Room and is listed along with dates below. These rooms are both on the second floor, roughly across from the entrance to the Center for Student Leadership and Service.
