Advocacy is very important for improving the standard of living for people with disabilities. Some autistic adults are very active in self-advocacy, but for those who are younger or less high functioning, advocacy is the responsibility of parents and others. This page will be separated into individual pages as more information becomes available. Advocacy issues which are or will be covered here include: awareness, acceptance, self-advocacy, education rights, and general disability rights. Affecting at least 1 in 500 people (the exact number is debatable and variable depending how much of the autistic spectrum is included), autism is the third most common childhood disability, more common than Down Syndrome. Awareness, advocacy, lobbying, and fundraising efforts, primarily by parents of autistic children, are on the rise. For more specific advocacy issues, please refer to the Regional Resources and Education Issues pages. Resources and Information Autism Cards Small cards with basic information about autism - to save explanations in public. Autism Awareness Month (or week, depending on your location) A variety of activities sponsored by local autism societies to promote autism awareness and research. United States. United Kingdom. Fundraisers Mail order and other international fundraisers (local fundraisers on Regional Resources pages.) Self-Advocacy for Autistic People Links and information about groups and specific projects relating to autistic self-advocacy. Breaking the Silence March in Washington, D.C., USA, April 8, 2000 Movies and Television News clips, descriptions, and reviews of current and past popular media presentations relating to autism. Celebrities Hollywood and sports celebrities working to further autism and related causes. Articles The Prevention of Sexual Abuse of People with Developmental Disabilities by Dick Sobsey & Sheila Mansell; Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, 1990

Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law   Children's Rights Council Handicapped Individuals and the Law Information from the U.S. House of Representatives Internet Law Library.   TASH An international association of people with disabilities, their family members, other advocates, and professionals fighting for a society in which inclusion of all people in all aspects of society is the norm. Better Living for Autistics in Residential Environments (BLARE) Inc Autism and the Police: Avoiding Unfortunate Situations

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