Disability Rights Community vs. Autism Speaks
[sent to family and friends]

The letter below is the latest step in a national and international protest against the U.S. organization known as Autism Speaks. Countless attempts have been made to impress upon the organization that its public rhetoric, policies and practices are profoundly harmful to ALL Autistic citizens, and that its leadership MUST accept guidance from Autistic stakeholders and the broader disability rights communities if they wish to retain their status as a prominent charitable organization.

Autism Speaks has thus far been dismissive and even contemptuous in response to such appeals and cautions. It has therefore become necessary, regrettably, to adopt a more aggressive approach to the re-education of Autism Speaks -- by first educating their sources of publicity and revenue.

If Autism Speaks cannot be made to sincerely recognize the necessity of giving the voices of Autistic citizens a prominent place in the guidance of its activities -- and to act in good faith on that necessity -- then the organization must be prepared to face its own extinction.

The global disability community stands united in this demand for just and equitable representation: "Nothing about us without us!"

--DKM

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The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN):

Letter to the Sponsors, Donors and Supporters of Autism Speaks
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=61
or
http://tinyurl.com/yc2le2s

Petition, open for individual signatories (like you!) to ASAN's letter:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/AutismSpeaks

ASAN website:
http://www.autisticadvocacy.org

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More background on opposition to Autism Speaks, their policies and practices, and their recent "I Am Autism" video:

codeman38 -- "Do You Know What You’re Supporting?"
http://tinyurl.com/ygpnp7f

codeman38 -- A level-headed evaluation of the "I Am Autism" video:
http://tinyurl.com/lmspla
[includes transcript and link to video]

Disabled-World.com -- "Autism Speaks - Friend or Foe?"
http://tinyurl.com/ye5xnto

Club 166 -- "When Will They Listen?"
http://tinyurl.com/yggjj45

ABFH -- A long list of links to blogs and articles in response to "I Am Autism," plus a few links to video parodies:
http://tinyurl.com/yzqe3wz
[scroll down for link lists]

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A few alternative voices [videos]:

Dan Marino Foundation & ASAN, NoMyths.org PSA:
http://nomyths.org/

Rethinking Autism: Autistics Speak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWOwNP9vC6k

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