Change Leaders in the Disability Community

working to ensure access and equality for every human.

We all have the power to create change and make the world a better place.

Here’s to the Change Leaders- folks out there blazing a trail for the rest of us. They’re the Einsteins, the Ed Roberts, the Justin Darts, the Martin Luther Kings, and Helen Kellers of our generation. You’ve probably heard of most of them, and if you haven’t, you will.

Each of us has the power to create real change and make the world a better place, we just have to roll up our sleeves and do it. Our hope is that getting a glimpse into the lives of people out there making a difference will inspire you to do the same.

If you’re motivated by something these Change Leaders in the disability community have done – go do something. Anything. A big act or a small act, but do something. Let us know what you’re up to and we’ll shout from the rooftops.

Judith Snow

Thank You, Ed Roberts

Intersection of Law, Education and Civil Rights

Senator Harkin Delivers Speech in ASL Upon ADA Passage in 1990

Krip-Hop Nation: Music, Advocacy and Education

Worth Repeating: Ed Roberts’ 504 Sit-In Victory Rally Speech

I Got 99 Problems..Palsy Is Just One- Maysoon Zayid on Ted

Doll Diversity Isn’t Just Child’s Play – Dolls with Disabilities

Worth A Second Look: Haben Girma’s 2010 Speech on 35th Anniversary of IDEA

The Importance of Supports

Meet the Members of the 2013 National Council on Disability

ASAN President Ari Ne’eman on the DOE’s New Stance on Bullying Prevention

I Am Disabled and I Am Proud

‎"Polite society often tells us that we need to take the 'dis' out of disability, but maybe... just maybe, we should spend some time putting it back in. Take the "dis" out of disability and you remove the core of what has shaped my life. Disability puts the "D" in diversity, but in order to make that a real difference we've got to own that spot. It took me 35 years to respect and honor that truth. Others shouldn't have to wait that long..." Lawrence Carter-Long

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.

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."

Worth A Second Look: Haben Girma’s 2010 Speech on 35th Anniversary of IDEA

"One of the treasures of IDEA is that it provides children with disabilities the luxury of just being students. Unfortunately there are still many school districts where students with disabilities are denied their right to an education." Haben Girma

Amy Sequenzia: Does it matter?

Should it matter that some of us are labeled intellectually disabled? Read the definitions, look at us in a realistic way and ask yourself; Does it matter? Aren’t we all worthy?

The Case for Inclusion Part 3: Sea Change

The longer there is a strong distinction between general and special education the worse it is for students who are labeled with a disability. It perpetuates the language of Us and Them...

Senator’s Call for Transition Action Plan An Excellent Idea

2014 Joint Letter to the Sponsors of Autism Speaks

January 6, 2014

To the Sponsors, Donors, and Supporters of Autism

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s Third Annual Gala Honoring Henry Frost and Dr. Anne Donnellan

My Top Ten

These are the top 10, now top 18 things I need for teachers, therapists, doctors, friends and family to know.

Autistic Student’s Top 10 List for Teachers of Students with Special Needs #2

Top ten things Autistic student wants teachers, therapists and friends to know about students with special needs... they may be shocking to some of you, but hopefully to most they are exactly what you expect. Here's number 2.

My Video for Day without Starbucks for Sebastien

My video to help raise money for "Day Without Starbucks for Sebastien" . Sebastien is my friend. He has MELAS, a mitochondrial disease that is hurting him. Please help.