Ollibean Think Tank

The Loud Hands Project

Love this video published by the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. Share it, Post it, Donate at http://www.indiegogo.com/The-Loud-Hands-Project?a=351448 so they will make more:)

Judith Heumann: Changing the System

Her activism is clearly rooted in a strong sense of justice. Early on she learned that

Amy Sequenzia:Dear Mainstream Media

I am an autistic woman, non-speaking and I have many needs.Yes, dear mainstream media, I am the autistic supposedly too “low-functioning” to deserve to be heard. You pity me and you ignore the facts.

Hi @KatieCouric I am #autistic & would like to talk to you about #inclusion, #communication & #civilrights #KatieAutismChat

Katie Couric will have a Twitter Chat with Autism Speaks on Wednesday May 29th at 1pm EST .

Autistic people should be in the chat. hashtag #KatieAutismChat.

This is my message.

Hi @katiecouric

Ollibean: All of a kind

The faces of Ollibean are kids with and without disabilities all trying to make the world a better place.

Amy Sequenzia: I, Too, Want to Understand.

Why would a parent of an autistic child decide that it is better not to listen to other autistics? Why? I, Too, Want to Understand.

Senator Harkin Delivers Speech in ASL Upon ADA Passage in 1990

Upon passage of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 13th, 1990, Senator Tom Harkin delivered a speech on the Senate floor in American Sign Language. Harkin, whose brother Frank was deaf, was the lead Senate author of the ADA, which was enacted later that year. His speech is the first in American Sign Language to be delivered from the Senate floor.

Larry Bissonnette featured on National Geographic

The amazingly talented artist Larry Bissonnette, of Wretches Jabberers, will be featured on an upcoming episode of the National Geographic TV program, Taboo.Check it out.

Autistic Man, Jesse Saperstein Free Falls to End Bullying

Best-selling author, autism advocate and motivational speaker Jesse A. Saperstein is spreading an Anti-Bullying movement across America with his “Free-Falling to End Bullying in 2012” YouTube video hoping to put an end to torment in and out of the classroom.

Snacking: The Little Bite That Won’t Hurt You

Ollibean contributor Kristie Salzer talks about the benefits of "refueling" between lunch and dinner to decrease hunger related meltdowns for kids. We love her suggestions of 25 super easy snacks to get you started!

Judith Snow ~ Relationships & Inclusion

"The research shows that when a child who is not academically gifted is included in a regular school, not only do the academics improve across the school, and I did say that, I didn’t say “in the classroom”, I said “across the school”, not only do the academics improve, but drug use and violence goes down."