Aspergian Pride
Dec 17
Ari Ne’eman, who heads the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, has been nominated by President Obama to the National Council on Disability (NCD). The White House issued a press release yesterday announcing his selection and describing the NCD positions as key administration posts. The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a nonprofit group that seeks to advance the principles of [...] [...more]
Posted: under Government and Politics.
Ari Ne’eman, who heads the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, has been nominated by President Obama to the National Council on Disability (NCD). The White House issued a press release yesterday announcing his selection and describing the NCD positions as key administration posts.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a nonprofit group that seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism by empowering the Autistic Community to take control of its own destiny, working toward the goal of a world in which those on the autism spectrum enjoy the same access, rights, and opportunities as all other citizens.
Edit, June 23: While his confirmation was pending in the Senate, Ne’eman also was appointed as a member of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. He has now been confirmed for his NCD position.
Feb 03
Michael Mayes, an 18-year-old senior at Marshfield High School in Massachusetts, is currently serving a two-year term on the Governor’s Statewide Youth Council, which advises Gov. Deval Patrick on youth issues. He also plays baseball and football, coaches younger baseball players, and mentors younger autistic students in the Marshfield schools. In an interview, he told [...] [...more]
Posted: under Government and Politics.
Michael Mayes, an 18-year-old senior at Marshfield High School in Massachusetts, is currently serving a two-year term on the Governor’s Statewide Youth Council, which advises Gov. Deval Patrick on youth issues. He also plays baseball and football, coaches younger baseball players, and mentors younger autistic students in the Marshfield schools.
In an interview, he told reporter Lydia Mulvany that he wants to speak for youths with disabilities. “I want autistic kids to have a voice… People underestimate autistic kids, and I don’t think people should.”
Aug 28
College student Evan Delaney Rodgers, who just turned 19 years old, is a city council candidate in Carlsbad, California. In a campaign press release quoted by the San Diego Union-Tribune, she discusses her Asperger diagnosis: “Having a little autism helped me achieve my goals and not miss what most people thought I was missing out [...] [...more]
Posted: under Government and Politics.
College student Evan Delaney Rodgers, who just turned 19 years old, is a city council candidate in Carlsbad, California. In a campaign press release quoted by the San Diego Union-Tribune, she discusses her Asperger diagnosis:
“Having a little autism helped me achieve my goals and not miss what most people thought I was missing out on. I’m not really ‘driven’ in the sense of being a wound-up over-achiever – marching to my own drum just happens to cover a lot of ground.”
An avid skateboarder, she gave an interview at the city’s skate park. She proposes to build a new park and aquatic center and to invite the city’s youth to improve abandoned storefronts by filling them with art and science projects.
Jun 06
Democratic Rep. Nancy Boyda of Topeka, Kansas, recently announced the selection of 16-year-old Benjamin Eric Berlin to the congressional page program. He attended the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy, gained experience serving as a page for two Kansas state legislators, and will become the first person with an autism spectrum diagnosis to serve in the congressional [...] [...more]
Posted: under Government and Politics.
Democratic Rep. Nancy Boyda of Topeka, Kansas, recently announced the selection of 16-year-old Benjamin Eric Berlin to the congressional page program. He attended the Kansas Youth Leadership Academy, gained experience serving as a page for two Kansas state legislators, and will become the first person with an autism spectrum diagnosis to serve in the congressional page program. He was selected for the congressional page program by a board based on an essay, extracurricular activities, character and motivation. As reported by the Lawrence Journal-World:
“Ben did not get this chance because he was autistic. Ben got the chance because he was extremely involved, mature and caring, and he demonstrated that to everyone that was around him,” Boyda said.
But Boyda said that as a page Berlin will be able to show others how people deal with disabilities.
In a prepared statement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., praised the selection of Berlin.
“Congress is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in this historic learning experience,” Pelosi said.
Dec 12
Self-advocate Ari Ne’eman, who is studying political science and economics at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County as a Sondheim Scholar of Public Affairs, has put together an impressive list of accomplishments in the political realm even before receiving his university degree. He is the founder and president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit [...] [...more]
Posted: under Government and Politics, Speaking Out.
Self-advocate Ari Ne’eman, who is studying political science and economics at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County as a Sondheim Scholar of Public Affairs, has put together an impressive list of accomplishments in the political realm even before receiving his university degree. He is the founder and president of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization that works to improve society’s perception of autistic citizens while also providing social and support services for adults and youth on the autism spectrum.
Ari serves as the Policy Workgroup Leader for the Youth Advisory Council to the National Council on Disability and as the Public Policy Chair for the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of the New Jersey Olmstead Implementation and Planning Advisory Council (a policy group that deals with de-institutionalization issues).
Recently, Ari has taken the lead in coordinating an effort by numerous disability rights organizations to urge New York University’s Child Study Center to withdraw an offensive advertising campaign entitled “Ransom Notes,” which stigmatizes autistic children and others with disabilities by portraying them as hopeless and tragic kidnap victims. (To find out how you can help stop these ads by writing to the people responsible for them and by signing a petition, please take a look at Ari’s joint letter and action alert.)
Update, December 19, 2007: The offensive ads have been withdrawn, chiefly in response to Ari’s efforts to unite the disability community in demanding their removal. Thanks Ari for your great work!
Sep 05
Sixteen-year-old Aaron Barden, a senior at Harrisburg High School in Oregon, has ambitions of law school and perhaps a political career. He is off to a good start after being elected student body president, serving as a youth representative on the Harrisburg Planning Commission, and becoming editor of his school newspaper. He plays three sports [...] [...more]
Posted: under Academic Success, Government and Politics.
Sixteen-year-old Aaron Barden, a senior at Harrisburg High School in Oregon, has ambitions of law school and perhaps a political career. He is off to a good start after being elected student body president, serving as a youth representative on the Harrisburg Planning Commission, and becoming editor of his school newspaper. He plays three sports while also taking a rigorous schedule of honors classes.
Although Aaron did not talk until he was 4 years old, he began speaking in complete sentences and advanced so rapidly that he enrolled in kindergarten a year early, after scoring in the 90th percentile for first-graders on a language skills test. He received an Asperger diagnosis at age 10.
Aaron’s mother, who is a member of the Harrisburg City Council, has encouraged her son’s interest in politics. Aaron also gives his school credit for being aware of autistic students’ potential for success and encouraging him to pursue his interests.