The White house has recently nominated Ari Ne’eman a leading autism advocate to the National Council on Disability according to the White House webpage.
Ari-Ne'eman
Ari Ne’eman heads the Autism Self Advocacy Network and assists those with Autism in in advoacting for their rights and needs. Seeing as I’m kinda busy right now and not wanting to duplicate work I’ll just copy the bio from the White House’s press release.
Ari Ne’eman is the Founding President of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, where he initiates and directs efforts to increase the representation of autistic individuals in public policy discussions. He is a leading advocate in the neurodiversity movement, frequently briefing policymakers and speaking publicly on disability and autism policy issues. Mr. Ne’eman also serves as Vice Chair of the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force, where he represents autistic adults in reviewing the state’s autism services. He also previously served on the New Jersey’s Special Education Review Commission, where he authored a minority report on the topic of aversives, restraint and seclusion. Mr. Ne’eman previously served as the Policy Workgroup Leader for the Youth Advisory Council to the National Council on Disability. He is a board member of TASH and the Autism National Committee. In 2008, he received the HSC Foundation “Advocates in Disability” Award. Mr. Ne’eman is currently an undergraduate at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County where he studies political science and expects to graduate in May 2010. In 2000, Mr. Ne’eman was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder.
Congratulations Nominee Ne’eman!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Very cool! Give em hell Ari! I’m backing you up in MO!
I wouldent say give them hell, but its good to have someone on the spectrum with that big of a microphone!
Agreed! Sorry for the language Zack. Kind of an excuse, but I was raised by a truck driver.
It’s good to have someone out there. I have felt so alone out here in MO being the only politically active Autism activist who is actually on the Spectrum, it’s rather incredible not being so alone anymore. I can’t wait to help push for his ideas here at the state level! I’m printing some stuff from ASAN for packets to present at the next MO Autism Commission.
I do get a little fiery about things, (my guy tells me a little overly so…)so do forgive me for the outburst. lol! It’s just a huge relief to me. I have ambitions to join him on a more national stage one of these days. It’s my passion and goal. I do wish there was a branch of ASAN for Southwest MO! All we have is my ASPIE (Adult Autism Supports and Programs Implementation Effort) because out here other than a physcoligist maybe there are no quality adult services!
You dissapear off the map at age 18, and left to sit behind closed doors and rot. (Told you I got fiery, lol) I get told all the time we get left out because “kids are cute”. Well ladies and gentleman…. KIDS GROW UP!!!
And we are going to need supports to help us lead as independent of a life as we can! And no, we won’t just sit behind closed doors and be “good little disabled people”!
Ok, got to stop ranting!!! Sorry again! If this is to much feel free to delete this one!