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I’m both a self-advocate and an advocate for those who can’t or don’t speak up for themselves. My specialty is those on the autism spectrum as well as those with developmental disabilities.
I love what I do because it helps people and if things right, I can see the change that I helped effect for the better of our community. I say “our community because I’m proudly autistic. In fact, I’ve often said that Asperger’s (a form of high functioning autism) is my superpower.
There are so many things that on the surface have improved since I was in school and the word autism or Asperger’s weren’t even known in those school age, so things really have come a long way.
Or have they?
It seems we’re still fighting similar battles with schools, caseworkers and other agencies and we’re losing more than we’re winning. When I was in school there were no such things as accommodations or IEP’s (Individualized Education Plans), but a large percentage of school districts fight to do as little as they can for our children and frankly, that’s beyond sad.
As the Beastie Boys said, “You’ve gotta fight. For your right.”
Advocacy is as much about educating those without the disability as it is helping those with the disability. Unless administrators, school boards and teachers can get on board, nothing will change.
Educating educators has to be a priority.
So how do you go about advocating? Well, the first step is fighting for your rights or the rights of your child or loved one who has a developmental disability and not letting “The Man” push you around.
They’ll use all kinds of tactics such as budget restraints, not enough manpower or that your child simply doesn’t need the service. I call these things, “their problems.”
I don’t care about their problems because under Federal law schools have a legal responsibility to help your children grow, learn and be prepared for life after high school.
What I care about is the person being shafted and their rights. I’ve actually said to more than one school superintendent, “that sounds like a “your” problem and not a “our” problem. The only interest I have in your problems is that you’re screwing this child over and that’s going to stop.”
You can also look up local advocacy groups in your area, get connected with other parents who share your plight and attend events in your state such as the one I’m attending in just over a week.
The 18th Annual Missouri Disability Rights Legislative Day is being held March 13 from 11-2 in the first-floor rotunda of the Capitol building in Jefferson City. If you’re in Missouri and can make it I would love to see you there.
I’m the guy with the purple goatee and black lab service dog, so if you see me, please say hi.
If you’re there and don’t see me, tweet me @nwjautistic. I’ll be doing FB live and would love to have people to talk to as I broadcast.
Next week we’ll be going over some of the talking points from this event and share with you some frightening statistics about the disabled in our country. Come back next Thursday to read that,
Have a great week and don’t forget to fight for your rights!
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