Here’s our newsletter about everything we did in 2019!

Thank you for all of your support!

Today is #GivingTuesday and the #InternationalDayOfDisabledPersons!

Autistics United Canada is a member of the Autistic Advocacy Coalition of Canada (AACC), a collective of autistic-led advocacy organizations. We represent diverse autistic youth and adults across the country. We fight for human rights and disability justice on issues of education, employment, health care, violence, segregation, accessibility, self-determination, and autistic well-being.

This Giving Tuesday, we are fundraising for two projects:

1. To build and maintain an AACC website, where we can put our MP Action Kits for members; information sheets; press releases; human rights reports; Calls to Action and more.

2. To print materials to present to Members of Parliament and other organizations on our campaign to get autistic-led groups included in ALL federal policy discussions about the policies that affect our lives.

These projects need to happen now–because the federal government has been showing signs of support for the proposed National Autism Strategy (NAS), an Autism Speaks-backed policy package. We need a major shift on autism policy and it can only happen with strong, united advocacy groups fighting for it.

Thank you for your support, via your donation or any other ways that you show support. We appreciate it!

Donation link: https://www.autisticsunitedca.org/donate.html

#Vigil #ShineOnMax

TW: death of a child, violence, restraints and seclusion

In November 2018, 13-year-old Max Benson died due to violence he experienced while being restrained in school.

Last week, charges were announced against the three school employees who had been involved and the school.

Tomorrow, November 17, his parents and the International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion will be holding a vigil in honour of Max, and ask that people around the world do the same.

[Image description: flyer with a photo of hands cupping a lit candle in the background.

Text reads: International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion in partnership with the Benson family ask you to join us internationally in memory of Max Benson

November 17th, 2019

Candlelight Vigil

2 PM PST, 5 PM EST, 10 PM GMT

Max Benson passed away after being forcefully restrained in school. A live vigil will take place at 2 pm at the El Dorado County District Attorney Office. 778 Pacific Street, Placerville, CA 95667 We ask those who cannot attend to light a candle wherever you are in the world to honor Max's memory and send your condolences to his family. Post your candle images online Sunday with the hashtag #ShineOnMax.]

A camera interview with Autistics United Canada co-founder Vivian Ly about the harmful effects blue pumpkin campaign!

Consensus among self-advocates seems to be that this is another well-intentioned but ultimately harmful campaign.

Criticisms among autistic people of this campaign is that it forces children to disclose their disability without their consent, that it can cause confusion with the existing teal pumpkin campaign (which is a life-or-death situation for kids with severe allergies), and that it singles autistic kids out whereas all children should not be forced to say "trick or treat".

Being outed as disabled can increase the likelihood of being a target for violence and bullying, and disclosure should only be done with the full consent of the child. What concerns me is that the campaign neglects this crucial component of child consent. It can create an unsafe environment where kids with blue pumpkins are targeted. Certainly I am out and proud about being autistic, but that is my own choice with understanding of the risks.

Some alternative suggestions from self-advocates include making a sign or card that the child or parent can show that says that the child struggles to say "trick or treat" without disclosing that the child is autistic.

Also encourage AAC use! It is a good opportunity to help non-speaking kids speak for themselves if they feel up to it. With the right supports, they can build scripts to share how much or how little they want.

As one of our members Mia says, "We shouldn't have to disclose our diagnosis to be treated equally."

[Image description: photo of trick-or-treaters in costume and photo of a blue plastic pumpkin]

Today is Election Day!

Let's get as many people at the polling stations as possible!

Some things you can do to help each other vote:

- help each other figure out what kind of ID to bring

- help each other figure out which polling station to go to

- go through what to expect at the polling station step by step

- carpool to polling stations

- call candidate offices--many offer rides and you do not have to vote for them if they do

Still need some help? Check out our #AutisticsVote toolkit for more tips!

#AutisticsVote Federal Election 2019 Toolkit

Our #AutisticsVote Federal Election 2019 Toolkit is now up! The toolkit is a guide to help autistic people vote at the upcoming federal elections and advocate on issues that impact our community.

Check it out here, along with our Talking to MPs guide: https://autisticsunitedca.org/guides.html

Sections of the guide: 1. Introduction to the federal election 2. Possible questions to ask your candidates 3. How to find out more about policy issues and candidates 4. How to get more involved 5. How to vote 6. Glossary

We recognize that our community is diverse and that autistic people often face multiple barriers to voting. Our toolkit has links to resources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people, disabled people, non-native speakers of English or French, and youth.

Please spread widely!

We’ve officially endorsed A4A’s statement opposing CASDA’s Blueprint for a National Autism Strategy.

CASDA is not listening to self-advocates or autistic-run organizations—often lumping us together with parents. While self-advocates are a part of the consultation team, the team is overwhelming made up of non-autistic people.

If they are going to use the slogan of disability activists—Nothing About Us, Without Us—then they need to put actually autistic people in a position of leadership.

Thanks to everyone who has donated so far! With your help, we have raised over $500! Remember, you can still donate until November 30th. Please share with your friends!

[Image description: Number 500 in a middle of adrawing of a sun. Text reads: "We raised $500 with your help!" Autistics United Canada logo in bottom right]

https://fundrazr.com/AutisticAccess?ref=ab_88N8X9

Today is the first day of our accessibility fundraiser! As a volunteer-run organization, we rely on donations to fund our activities. Click on the link to donate now!

https://fundrazr.com/AutisticAccess?ref=ab_88N8X9

The petition by Emma Dalmayne from Autistic Inclusive Meets Community Group AIM to cancel, "Train Your Baby Like a Dog," the UK show that premiered on August 20th by Channel 4 now has over 35,000 signatures, yet despite all the outrage and negative reviews of the show, it continues to air on the network. "Train Your Baby Like a Dog" is based on ABA principles and uses ABA techniques normally used in dog training such as using a clicker and using treats as incentives or "rewards" for desired behavior. If you haven't already, sign or share this petition today on International Day of Protest Against ABA, and let's get this show cancelled for good! #KidsAreNotDogs #SayNoToABA

Say NO to ABA!

Tomorrow, August 31st, is the International Day of Protest Against ABA. During this day of action, share writings of autistic ABA survivors, former ABA practitioners, and parents of autistic people. We will raise our voices against inhumane practices and compliance-based interventions in all forms.

[Image description: red text reading "Ixnay on the Bicba #SayNoToABA"]

https://www.facebook.com/events/400630140661525/?ti=icl

Today, the government of Canada announced funding towards six (6) autism initiatives over the next five (5) years. Most of the funding is going to existing services and organizations in eastern Canada. The only initiative in western Canada is for indigenous communities in Regina. This initiative is also one of three initiatives aimed at Autistic adults--the other two are for mental health promotion and education. Canada still lacks an expansion of diverse services that target real gaps and funding to support autistic self-advocacy and self-determination.

The news release about the announcement can be read here: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/government-of-canada-announces-new-support-for-canadians-living-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-and-those-who-care-for-them-873302099.html

A news article with more information:

https://www.insidehalton.com/news-story/9556831-oakville-north-burlington-mp-unveils-autism-funding-allocation-but-some-call-announcement-underwhelming-/

[Image description: Oakville North-Burlington MP Pam Damoff, who is wearing a white suit jacket over a black blouse, standing in front of microphones.]

We stand in Solidarity with ASAN

Autistics United Canada supports the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network's decision to end their partnership with Sesame Street.

We are proud to be an affiliate of an organization that consistently upholds its values of autistic acceptance and inclusion, and is unafraid to condemn actions of others that do the opposite.

We are disappointed that Sesame Street has decided to continue promoting damaging rhetoric and negative protrayals of autistic children. Sesame Street had the opportunity to be a leader in fostering inclusion of autistic children with the See Amazing initiative. Yet they chose, against the wishes of autistic self-advocates, to go back on that progress by promoting the organization Autism Speaks.

We echo ASAN's call on Sesame Street to "recognize the damage they are doing, end their partnership with Autism Speaks, and commit to producing and promoting only content which increases the inclusion, acceptance and well-being of autistic children."

Take Action!

#TakeAction #Petition #ABA

Please sign this important petition!

https://www.change.org/p/abai-applied-behavior-analysis-international-tell-aba-international-to-denounce-the-shock-torture-of-disabled-children

Tomorrow on April 1st, the start of Autism Acceptance Month, take the lead of autistic self-advocates and #LightItUpTrue! Respect ALL neurotypes with the beautiful colours of the rainbow.

If you prefer something more toned down, check out #ToneItDownTaupe!

#DontBeBlue #LightItUpTrue!

Disability Day of Mourning

Tonight, disabled communities will gather across Canada to commemorate those we have lost to filicide.

Please join a local vigil if you can. For those who don’t have a local vigil near you, we will be live streaming in Vancouver (link below).

If you cannot attend a vigil and need to mourn in your own way, please take that time for yourselves.

Let us take one night to grieve, and let our actions throughout the year fight against the ableism causes these deaths.

Disability Day of Mourning 2019

Disability activists and organizations are preparing for the annual Disability Day of Mourning on March 1st. Across the country, local communities will gather to commemorate people with disabilities murdered by family members or caretakers. 

The murders of people with disabilities are often framed as “mercy killings,” but that perception sets a dangerous precedent. “The value our society places on disabled people is shockingly clear,” says activist, author, and speaker Emma Van der Klift. “Faced with a growing number of child murders perpetrated by parents upon their disabled offspring, the public seems unable to respond with the clarity reserved for the parents who murder their nondisabled children. When we mistake homicide for care and compassion, we help create a climate where these and other atrocities become possible.”

In Canada, Disability Day of Mourning was first observed in 2015, starting in Vancouver. Since then, vigils have been held as a yearly reminder that disability is not, and has never been, a justification for violence. 

2019 Vigils 

Vancouver, British Columbia:

@vancouverautistics will be holding their vigil in the Woodlands Memorial Garden, New Westminster from 5-6:30 pm. 

Event details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2243051655975208/

Winnipeg, Manitoba:

@manitobaautistics will be holding their vigil at the University of Winnipeg (The Hive), Winnipeg from 6-8 pm. 

Event details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/260070201577749

Guelph, Ontario: 

Kinnery Chaparrel (individual activist) will be holding a vigil in St. George’s Square, Guelph from 1-6 pm. 

Event details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/340573600000332/

Toronto, Ontario: 

Autistics 4 Autistics (A4A) will be holding their vigil on the Ryerson Campus (Sally Horsefall Eaton Centre Bldg, Room SHE560), Toronto from 3-5 pm. 

Event details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/349632405875581

Halifax, Nova Scotia: 

@novascotia-autistics will be holding their vigil in the Halifax Central Library (BMO Community Room on the 2nd floor), Halifax from 1-3 pm. 

Event details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1196551217166983