Online communities
Community and support for autistic people and their families
The Autstic Self Advocacy Natwork (ASAN) is a nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people.
ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to advance civil rights, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.
The National Autistic Society is the the UK’s leading autism charity.
They aim to support autistic people and families of those on the spectrum. They offer support and advice for parents of autistic children, and support and advice for adults on the spectrum too.
I (James) actually had an autism counselor from the NAS when I was at university and she was the best support I had there.
Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network is an autistic run supportive and informative communuty. They are run for autistic women, girls, nonbinary people, and all others of marginalized genders.
AWN is dedicated to building a supportive community where we can share our experiences in an understanding, diverse and inclusive environment. Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network is committed to recognizing and celebrating diversity and the many intersectional experiences in our community.
Wrong Planet is a web community designed for individuals (and parents / professionals of those) with Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, PDDs, and other neurological differences.
They have a discussion forum, where members communicate with each other, an article section, with exclusive articles and how-to guides, a blogging feature, and more.
Autism Network International is an autistic-run self-help and advocacy organization for autistic people. It advocates for appropriate services and civil rights of autistic people, and provides a social forum to participate and share. It also provides information about autism to spread understanding and acceptance.
Autistic Not Weird is the site and community run by a former primary school teacher and current special needs teacher with autism.
He is a public speaker and autism advocate and runs a facebook community group also called Autistic not Weird.
Honestly he is very much an idol of mine.
Autism Acceptance Month is a website all about inclusion for autistic people throughout society.
This website is produced by ASAN, but has so many resources (for all year round) that I think it deserves it's own section. Lots of FAQ sheets for autistic folk (including for the newly diagnosed adults), their family, and professionals.
Thinking Persons Guide To Autism is a collection of evidence-based information from autistics, their parents, and autism professionals.
The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism is a project of the Myers-Rosa Foundation which is dedicated to autism advocacy, education and community support. It involves submissions by many different people.
Community and support for General Disability
Disability Horizons is an online disability lifestyle publication that aims to give disabled people a voice.
Founded by two disabled guys in 2011, Disability Horizons publishes articles on a wide variety of topics, all to support the aim of a world where disabled people live exactly as they choose to. It is about disabled people, for disabled people.
Ollibean is a dynamic community of parents, families and advocates in the disability community
working together for a more socially just, accessible and inclusive world.
They some great campaigns, and I have a few of their prints above the computer table that I work at. They are great advocates for 'nothing for us without us'.
TASH is a world leader in disability advocacy.
TASH advocates for human rights and inclusion for people with significant disabilities and support needs – those most vulnerable to segregation, abuse, neglect and institutionalization.
Starting With Julius was established as a project in 2013 by people who are committed to promoting the inclusion of people with disability in Australian advertising, media and beyond.