There has been quite a lengthy discussion on Aspies For Freedom lately on people in the organization believing that Minority Status would be legally beneficial to those on the Autism Spectrum, and to be very blunt – I wholeheartedly disagree.Gareth, the founder and owner of Aspies For Freedom seems to think that disability rights != autism rights, simply because autism is not automatically a disability – in which in some ways hes right and some ways he is not. In a lot of cases Autism does classify as a disability, but but people don’t like to be called disabled for reasons such as pride. The disability laws, such as the American With Disabilities Act (ADA) in my mind need a lot of reform – as well as actual enforcement. I can’t recall a time when I heard that the ADA was actually enforced and we know that employers breach the ADA on a daily basis.
I also believe that making Autism a disability would further encourage more violence. I don’t want to see this type of protest that happened in my home town last year to be the type of protest that happens against autistic people.
In my opinion calling individuals on the Autism Spectrum a minority would be a step backwards – and the source of way too much drama. Reform of the ADA and its European Equivalents would be much more beneficial in my opinion – as well as active investigation and enforcement of these laws. My suggestions for changes in the disability protection laws include:
- Define disability as a person who has a diagnosed medical, mental or neurological condition.
- Provide Tax Breaks to companies that hire people with disabilities in the equivalent amount that the company spends on providing accommodations to those with disabilities. This would make it so companies would not be financially strained by providing accommodations.]
I would like any opinions on my thoughts on this. Should autistics be a minority? Is reform in the Disability Laws such as the ADA required?
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{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
“some people don’t like to be called disabled for reasons such as pride.”
Change pride to prejudice and I’d agree with you.
First off, if someone that has Asperger’s Syndrome says they are not disabled, then they don’t have Asperger’s Syndrome and don’t fit into the diagnostic criteria.
Arguing against minority status is silly, because it denies reality so I can’t say anymore than that on the subject. Its hard to argue with someone that isn’t in the same reality as I am.
Reforming ADA would be a good thing but the reforms you suggest are already in the law as to terms of definition. The second suggestion has to do with tax laws, not civil rights laws and don’t belong in the act.
This type of silly anti-autistic, which is how I see it, discusson on Aspies for Freedom is why I never visit that site.
Of course we’re a minority. THere’s more NTs than us, therefore…we’re a minority.
And of course we’ve got a disability. That doesn’t mean we aren’t capable people who do many things well, often exceptionally well…but we do also have a disability. So what? That doesn’t make us less human.
Gareth is simply ignorant and a loser, he thinks he is something he is not because he does not know the past or anything really about the disabled peoples movement.
Disability is defined by the hegemonic culture of the majority, and for sure the capitalistic oppression of the United States is one of the largest creators of disability there is because the system “dis enables” so many who do not fit in, or who are judged as rebellious.
Disability is not a given, it is something that is given.
You are what you are, and these arrogant nay sayers who deny that AS is a disability actually denigrate and create hate against other sectors of the disability community because in there seperation they judge themselves better and more perfect and in so doing accept the stigma of disability as part of the natural order.
Gareth needs to grow up, he need to talk to a wider movement.
He is a loser and if he weren’t the disability movement would make sure in solidarity that he were as irrelevant as the KKK is to racial harmony.
AFF is not a movement it as medium, and equivalent to Axel Springer or Rupert Murdoch in terms of the message that is put out.
May I note that “disability” often includes “people who are perceived to have a disability”. Those such as overweight but healthy people who are perceived to have a disability but do not actually have one are also protected under discrimination law.
Those people with autism who are only mildly impaired and do not consider themselves disabled still fall into this group.
I am definitely on the autism spectrum, but I am most certain that no one would say I was disabled. Given the broad definition of disability, most of us could be said to be disabled. But if asked whether I had a disability on an application, I would say “no”. If I can’t get a professsional job because I have autism, tough patootie. I have to settle for menial jobs. Why should I get special treatment?
“If I can’t get a professsional job because I have autism, tough patootie. I have to settle for menial jobs. Why should I get special treatment?”
Why should you not get EQUAL treatment?
“You are what you are, and these arrogant nay sayers who deny that AS is a disability actually denigrate and create hate against other sectors of the disability community because in there seperation they judge themselves better and more perfect and in so doing accept the stigma of disability as part of the natural order.”
Simply stating that not everyone on the autistic spectrum is disabled is NOT making a statement about disabled people in any manner. If I say I am male, does that mean i’m sexist against women?
People who are not disabled right now do not actually fall under the protection of disability laws. That is a seperate problem from those laws not being enforced.
Mr Nelson…..
You are not asking for equal treatment, as a minority you are asking for preferential treatment.
I have to say you sir are no better than John Best, at least John Best actually believes hes helping people – you are in it for the fame.
So asking for it to be illegal to discriminate against autistics is somehow asking for special privileges?
Just like all those black people have the privilege of being able to sit anywhere they like on the bus, right?
There is nothing wrong with getting treated equally – which is why I believe there should be reform in the disability laws to make it illegal to discriminate on the basis of a condition, not just a disability.
Minority status, by definition has preferential status in employment, education and housing through affirmative action.
“Minority status, by definition has preferential status in employment, education and housing through affirmative action”
No, affirmative action is nothing to do with it – saying you can’t refuse to hire someone on the basis of their neurotype is not the same as saying you must hire them.
Gareth me old pal me old beauty you simply have no idea of what the concept of disability is at all, and that is your greatest lack of ability (and disability is not in itself a lack or inability) for it weakens you beyond all measure.
You have lost before you have even engaged, because you have given up, you do not know because you are in the country of the blind, thinking that one eye is better than complete blindness, well if you read the original by HG Wells you will see there is always another way of looking at things.
If you are the future I am glad I shall not be living in your future.
All of this is depressing me. I wish we could just understand each other and get along.