Judith Heumann: Changing the System
Her activism is clearly rooted in a strong sense of justice. Early on she learned that
Ollibean Mama Spotlight
Connect and learn with other parents like Tonya who presume competence and celebrate their children for being exactly who they are. #allofakind
Parenting and Caregiving Relationships
Parenting and Caregiving
Finding the balance between
Labels
I am autistic. I choose to use this because of community. Not to tell you what I am or what I am not. This is my choice.
Untitled
This is not directed at anyone in particular. It is about several people I’ve met throughout my life. I sometimes need to remind myself that being me means following my own agenda and not pleasing the ones who will not be part of my story.
The Presumption of Competence
Presumption of competence is more than an abstract idea. It has real and concrete effects. Here is one: it is better than a makeover.
Disability Activist Keith Jones on Community
"So let us remember that when we teach, when we educate, we make policy, we make decisions that we do it with a conscience and that we remember that we are leaving fingerprints on forever." Keith Jones
The Importance of Supports
"If we invested a mere one-tenth of the amount of money that we currently pour into causation into empowering Autistic people to communicate, that young man and hundreds of thousands more like him would be able to communicate their needs to us today. I am not here today to speak for every Autistic person – that’s impossible. What I am here for is to argue for every Autistic person to have the same opportunity to communicate that I have come to enjoy thanks to the support that I have been lucky enough to receive in my life." Ari Ne'eman
When Autistics Grade Other Autistics
“If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree…”We know how functioning labels are not helpful, despite being largely used by neurotypicals. But some autistics also grade members of our community and I want to understand why.
Interview Kate Winslet Golden Hat Foundation
Kate Winslet discusses her inspiration for the Golden Hat Foundation.
Being Where I Can Simply Be
After a three-day conference, I needed to sleep. I needed to sleep because I was dreamy, trying to keep the feeling of being in a place where I can be myself and also be a little bit like a star. Also, building community.
J.Cole Writes Apology Letter to Autism Speaks
J.Cole offended many over the lyrics “I’m artistic, you is autistic, retarded” in his Jodeci Freestyle rap number. He was called on this. The Anti-Bullying Alliance created a petition and asked for a formal apology
This Is Autism by Henry Frost
Best place for all autistic people, all disabled not disabled people, all families to speak together. Speak together for acceptance, inclusion, communication, and rights for all people. I am thinking when you look closely, this is what autism is.
The Case for Inclusion: Does All Really Mean All?
Tim Villegas of Think Inclusive on the motivation to change from educating students with disabilities in segregated settings to inclusive settings where all means all.
Acceptance
Welcome new Ollibean writer, Amy Sequenzia! We know you’re going to love her blog and her poems……..