Welcome to National Autism News, a newsletter by Autism Alliance of Canada.
As you know, we are a national alliance working together for the rights of Autistic people and their families. Twice a month, we reach out exclusively to our members to share content relating to priority issues that Autistic persons and their loved ones face across the lifespan.
In this newsletter, we share about the development of the National Autism Strategy, as well as issues of interest for the Autistic community in Canada. We also highlight current events, research initiatives, opportunities to engage, as well as projects from our members.
We are honoured to count you as a member of Autism Alliance of Canada!
In 2021, we revised and simplified our membership structure to prioritize access and inclusion. Since then, over 800 individuals and organizations have joined Autism Alliance of Canada as a member. Each of you share the common belief that share the Government of Canada needs to implement a robust National Autism Strategy. From across the country, we convene, catalyze, and collaborate to achieve our collective vision: Autistic people and their families, exercising their full rights and realizing their full potential.
We thank you for your ongoing support of our Mission, Vision and Principles. We are stronger together. We encourage you to share our new membership package with your peers, colleagues, and friends, so that we can work together as we press forward with our advocacy for a strong and sustainable National Autism Strategy.
Autism Alliance of Canada's 5 Year Strategic Plan is Now Available
We are incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished together to advance a National Autism Strategy over the years.Our new strategic direction is based on the priorities of our members and our strong track record and experience collaborating with our partners. Together, we are making change happen; but there is more to do as we are on the eve of a National Autism Strategy.This 5 Year Strategic Plan charts our way forward. We invite you to read it and continue to engage in our collective movement for a better Canada for Autistic people and their families.
The Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award Committee is Accepting Nominations and Artwork
Deadline: January 15, 2024
Autism Alliance of Canada is pleased to announce that the call for nominations for the Third Annual Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award, to be presented in April 2024, are now open.
The Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award was created in 2020 in recognition of the longstanding commitment by the Honourable Jim Munson, former member of the Senate of Canada, and his wife, Ginette Munson. We celebrate their commitment to achieving a more inclusive Canada for Autistic persons and their loved ones, and the development of a National Autism Strategy.
Past recipients of the Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award include autism and mental health advocate, Whitney Hodgins (2022), and Autistic advocate for the acceptance of people on the autism spectrum, Tom Jackman (2023). For more information, visit: autismalliance.ca/cals/cals/munson-award.
If you would like to nominate a deserving Autistic person living in Canada for this award, we invite you to fill out this form. The Nominee must be an Autistic person living in Canada.
The deadline to submit this form is January 15, 2024. If you need any assistance and guidance to complete the form, please feel free to reach out to us via email info@autismalliance.ca.
Autistic Alliance of Canada is Calling Autistic Artists and Creative Spirits!
Autism Alliance of Canada is happy to launch the call for artists for the Third Annual Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award. For the upcoming Canadian Autism Leadership Summit, to be held in Ottawa on April 17-19, 2024, we are looking to purchase a piece of art to present to the recipient of the Third Annual Munson Award.
If you would like your artwork to be considered, please complete this form, attaching a proposal or proposal of the piece, and describing the story behind it. The deadline to submit a piece of art is January 15, 2024. If you need any assistance and guidance to complete the form, please feel free to reach out to us via email info@autismalliance.ca.
Watch “Ben’s Animals,” a new teaser trailer featuring Canadian Autistic Artist Animal Knower Ben Lachapelle.
Ben's painting, “Hooting Indian Eagle-Owl” was presented at the 9th Annual Canadian Autism Leadership Summit in April 2023, to the 2nd Annual Jim and Ginette Munson Autism Leadership Award Winner, Tom Jackman. Ben’s multi-disciplinary work has been widely exhibited and commissioned by North American organizations, businesses, and private collectors. Learn more about Ben.
Autism Alliance of Canada Presents at Victoria University at the Minding our Minds Conference
On October 26, 2023, Simone Daniels, Research Assistant at Autism Alliance of Canada and self-advocate, was joined by Executive Director Dr. Jonathan Lai, to present the keynote presentation at the Minding Our Minds Conference, hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students at Victoria University and Student Life Programs & Services at the University of Toronto.
Their presentation, "Collectively Advancing Post-Secondary Supports for Autistic Students: Learnings from Across the Country" looked at strategies to advance supports for Autistic students in postsecondary education and how Autism Alliance of Canada is working on guiding a National Autism Strategy.
If you are interested in learning more about post-secondary supports for Autistic students in Canada, stay tuned, as we will share additional resources in the coming months!
Participate in the 2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey
Deadline: November 13, 2023
Only a week left to participate in the 2023 Pandemic Canadian Autism Needs Assessment Survey. If you are an Autistic adult (18+ years) and/or a caregiver of Autistic children of any age, make sure to share your perspective on the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on you and the supports you access.
Submit Your Feedback on Accessibility Standards Canada's Draft Standard on Employment
Deadline: November 14, 2023 at 3 PM EST
Accessibility Standards Canada launched a public review of their draft accessibility standard on employment.
This is the first version of the standard, developed by Accessibility Standards Canada’s technical committee on employment. The goal of this standard is to address work-related barriers caused by both individual actions and systems. This standard envisions a work environment that is:
accessible,
inclusive,
barrier-free, and
free of discrimination.
Submit your feedback and suggestions on the draft standard by 3:00 PM EST, on November 14, 2023.
FYI we're receiving these newsletters because PEI Autistic Adults joined the Autism Alliance of Canada as a community organization a couple months ago. I wanted us to be able to advocate for a strong and sustainable National Autism Strategy and have the opportunity to provide input.
Also the newsletter I receive is difficult to paste with all the images and stuff so if any of the links don't work, please let me know and I'll fix it.