AU Vancouver

The new and updated blog of AU Vancouver - Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Territory Chapter of Autistics United Canada Check us out on Facebook and Meet Up. Nothing about us without us!

[autisticsunitedca]

Wishing everyone a kind and happy Autistic Pride Day ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 [ID: Rainbow infinity neurodiversity symbol with words above “Autistic Pride” in red]

[vancouverautistics]

Make the $300 Increase Permanent!

Attention BC members!  Members of Autistics United Canada & Vancouver Queer Spoon Share have made a survey about the $300 increase in BC income & disability assistance rates. We are asking people to share their story about how this $300 has helped them. We are going to use these stories to advocate for a PERMANENT increase in rates. Share your story here: bit.ly/300sharestory You can also leave your email if you want updates about this campaign!

[autisticsunitedca]

Unrestricted tablet access for Tommy Jutcovich to communicate in Toronto Grace Hospital

Tommy Jutcovich’s family has started a petition to demand TGHC to give him access to his primary communication device! Currently, hospital staff are restricting his use to only one hour a day. This is an egregious human rights violation that deprives a non-speaking disabled elder of his voice. Please sign & share widely! http://chng.it/5WNDXCrbrb

[autisticsunitedca]

Today is #GivingTuesdayNow! During this unprecedented time, we have kept fighting for autistic rights and disability justice. Not only do disabled people deserve to be safe during this pandemic, but we deserve to have rich social lives as well—even while physically distancing. We encourage you to join us in this effort by supporting our activities that help autistic people during this time. Your donation will be going towards funding: 1) Our online socials, including playing boardgames and infodumping. 2) Our workshops and conferences, such as our upcoming All Brains Are Beautiful workshop. 3) Maintaining resource lists for Autistics during the pandemic. And 4) Advocating for AAC access and caregiver support in hospitals. Thank you so much for your continued support! If you can, please donate here: https://www.autisticsunitedca.org/donate.html We understand that many people have difficulty with financial security right now, so please do not feel any pressure to donate if you are struggling. Sharing our posts and our work on social media helps immensely too! [Image description: yellow stars on a pink background. Text reads “Thank you! For supporting Autistic-led Autistic support” Autistics United Canada logo of 8 interlocking rainbow infinity symbols]

[autisticsunitedca]

Take Action: Tell the Toronto Grace Health Centre to Give Tommy Jutcovich His AAC Device!

A Toronto hospital has denied 69-year-old Tommy Jutcovich his main mea ns of communication - an iPad - by calling it a "surveillance tool". This is a gross human rights violation. One hour a day is...

A Toronto hospital has denied 69-year-old Tommy Jutcovich his main means of communication - an iPad - by calling it a “surveillance tool”. This is a gross human rights violation. One hour a day is NOT enough to communicate with hospital staff and with his family. That is all the time they are giving him on his augmentative and alternative communication device. In an impassioned plea, Tommy’s daughter begged for help. His family is unable to visit Tommy during the pandemic. The iPad is Tommy’s connection to the outside world, his mental health support, and his voice. By taking away his AAC device, the hospital staff are silencing him for 23 hours each day. This impacts his care, with no way to raise new concerns or communicate his symptoms and pain. When a disabled elder has difficulties speaking or moving, with no family around, he is extremely vulnerable to abuse and medical neglect. People in hospitals, institutions, and long-term care homes should have the right to document their care for their own safety. Contact the Toronto Grace Health Centre to tell them that #CommunicationIsARight and #AACSavesLives! <– Action Toolkit!  Want to do more? Share our 5 calls to action about communication access in hospitals with your MPs & provincial/territorial reps. We have linked tools to help you contact your representatives. This was in light of the recent death of Ariis Knight in BC, who was denied access to support staff and family who helped facilitate her communication.

[autisticsunitedca]

Come join our digital celebration of autistic passion and interests! We’re looking for volunteers to give mini-lectures for a general audience on a topic they love. Let’s share the intense interests that bring us so much joy! If you are autistic/neurodivergent and are interested in participating as a presenter, send us an email ([email protected]) with a 1-3 sentence proposal of a topic you’d like to present on. To RSVP (you don’t have to present to attend): http://tinyurl.com/aucinfodump Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/568333843789054/ [Image description: illustration of a cat pointing a stick to rocks and circles on the ground. Other cats crowd around in a semi-circle, one taking notesText reads: “InfodumpSunday My 31 - 1:30 PM PDTRSVP for the link http://Tinyurl.com/aucinfodump"Autistics United Canada logo with 8 interlocking infinity symbols in a rainbow of colours]

[autisticsunitedca]

Our Great Big List of COVID-19 Resources for Autistic People

Autistics United Canada and Autistics for Autistics Ontario have put together a list of COVID-19 resources for autistic people, which we will continue to update! Download our full resource list...

Autistics United Canada and Autistics for Autistics Ontario have put together a list of COVID-19 resources for autistic people, which we will continue to update!

Download our full resource list (version 2):

Word document

PDF

Part 1 is resources specifically for autistic people. It includes:

AAC resources and info

Articles on coping with the pandemic

Online meetup info

Things to do while staying home / sheltering in place

Resources on how to self-advocate in health care

Resources for parents and caregivers of autistic people

Financial aid

Part 2 is resources about the coronavirus / COVID-19. It includes:

Plain language guides to COVID-19

COVID-19 guides in non-English languages

Resources from federal and provincial / territorial governments

Virtual medical clinics in Canada

Online / home activities

Mutual aid

Harm reduction

Financial aid in Canada

Please note that since our groups are based in “Canada” on Turtle Island, we are using resources from governments within Canada. Some information, such as physical distancing / shelter-in-place guidelines, may be different in regions outside of Canada. Read the most updated version of the resource list on our blog! 

[vancouverautistics]

Request to BC folks: your questions to the Ministry of Social Development & Poverty Reduction about COVID-19

We are going to be attending an information meeting open to disability organizations by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.

They are asking for questions ahead of time. These are our questions. Please let us know by TONIGHT if you have any burning questions you want us to ask!

1. Will benefits rates be increased for those on benefits, and will measures be taken to ensure that those on benefits can access the federal EI & emergency care benefits?

2. Will rental assistance be increased for people on PWD? Currently, $375 shelter allowance is not enough for those on PWD, yet other renters are seeing a $500 supplement--one that those on PWD cannot access.

3. Will the Ministry advertise the COVID-19 crisis supplement? We have heard from some that there is a COVID-19 specific crisis supplement, along with existing supplements for food, etc. However, this has not been officially announced and there has been no clear process in accessing it.

4. What is being done to support people with disabilities who are transitioning to adulthood at this moment and need access to CLBC services? There has been a reported delay and lack of contact.

5. Will there be a province-wide, province-led home food delivery system to replace the food banks that are closing? How will re-registration be handled due to social distancing measures?

6. Will the ministry advocate on disabled people's behalf that any medical rationing or triage protocol will not discriminate against disabled people, as Italy and USA has done?

7. How is the province ensuring that communications around COVID-19 is accessible to disabled people? Many of us are having a hard time understanding all the official news and updates coming out as it is overwhelming and not being relayed in plain language. Is there a central hub for COVID-19 updates that impacts disabled people? For example, can a section for disabled people be added to: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support

[autisticsunitedca]

Autistics United Canada Update

Hello everyone! Here are some updates on what’s been happening in the different chapters of Autistics United Canada. It's a long one--we hav

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

Thank you for all of your support!

[autisticsunitedca]

Donate

Autistics United Canada is entirely volunteer-run and relies on donations and fundraisers. We appreciate if you can donate within your means, any amount helps! Donations can be made online through...

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

[vancouverautistics]

Our flyer for the autistic input session on BC accessibility legislation, happening Saturday November 23rd! Please spread the word!

[Image description: flyer with text that reads:

“Nothing About Us Without Us! Autistic Voices of BC Needed!

BC is creating the province’s first ever accessibility legislation. Have your say on the new law!

Date: Saturday, November 23 Time: 1:30 - 4:30 pm Location: 5024 Rumble Street, Burnaby, BC OR live video conferencing (Zoom)

Honorariums provided. Snacks, drinks & fidgets provided. Venue is wheelchair accessible. ASL interpretation has been requested. Please contact us by Nov. 20 with any accessibility requests!

REGISTER: forms.gle/PwET3xE97rqsWpDf9

Questions? Contact us: [email protected]”

Graphics of a person in a wheelchair, a person with forearm crutches, and a person with a service dog. Logos of Autistics United Canada and the Neurodiversity Listening Society, as well as Facebook and Tumblr logos @VancouverAutistics]

[vancouverautistics]

Please disregard the deadline for access requests--we are still accepting accessibility requests! However, earlier is better so we can better arrange accommodations. 

[vancouverautistics]

Our flyer for the autistic input session on BC accessibility legislation, happening Saturday November 23rd! Please spread the word!

[Image description: flyer with text that reads:

"Nothing About Us Without Us! Autistic Voices of BC Needed!

BC is creating the province's first ever accessibility legislation. Have your say on the new law!

Date: Saturday, November 23 Time: 1:30 - 4:30 pm Location: 5024 Rumble Street, Burnaby, BC OR live video conferencing (Zoom)

Honorariums provided. Snacks, drinks & fidgets provided. Venue is wheelchair accessible. ASL interpretation has been requested. Please contact us by Nov. 20 with any accessibility requests!

REGISTER: forms.gle/PwET3xE97rqsWpDf9

Questions? Contact us: [email protected]"

Graphics of a person in a wheelchair, a person with forearm crutches, and a person with a service dog. Logos of Autistics United Canada and the Neurodiversity Listening Society, as well as Facebook and Tumblr logos @VancouverAutistics]

[vancouverautistics]

Survey on BC Accessibility Legislation - Autistics United Canada & Neurodiversity Listening Society

British Columbia will be creating its first ever accessibility legislation. Have your say on the new law!

BC neurodivergent folks--take our survey on BC accessibility legislation! We want to know the access issues that matter to you. The feedback will be used to generate a report to the BC government and to inform our advocacy for autistics in BC and across Canada. This is your chance to give feedback if you cannot make it to our in-person and online input session on Saturday, Nov. 23. Facebook event page for our input session: https://www.facebook.com/events/415719872401985/

[vancouverautistics]

#ShineOnMax

CW: child death, restraint, violence

Photo of drawing of candles, hearts and stars with glitter. Written words say 'Shine on Max' and 'You are loved & missed'

[autisticsunitedca]

#ShineOnMax

We remember you and honour you today. You deserved better.

Max Benson was an autistic student killed by school employees using a prone restraint in California last year. Today is the international vigil honoring his memory.

[Image description: single lit candle in a glittery decorative holder]

[autisticsunitedca]

#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.]

[autisticsunitedca]

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]

Blue halloween buckets for kids with autism?

Some support the idea, others fear it would "out" reluctant kids.