As you may know, Ari Ne'eman, founder and president of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN), was nominated by President Obama to serve on the National Council for Disability (NCD). The purpose of NCD is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, and that empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, and inclusion and integration into all aspects of society. These are all areas which Ari excells at and has an excellent track record of success in advocating for Autistic and other disabled people.  If nominated, he will be the first Autistic Presidential appointee to any position in history. All of President Obama's other appointees have been confirmed by the Senate, but an anonymous hold has been placed on Ari's nomination.
 
In order for Ari to be confirmed, at least 60 other Senators need to vote against the hold. It is important for all of us to let our Senators know how we feel and why it is important that Ari serve his appointed position.
 
You can read about Ari's work, accomplishments, and values (warning: it is lengthy and impressive!)  on the ASAN website, linked below, as well as the numourous blogs and articles in The New York Times and Newsweek. There is also a link here to the facebook page where you can show your support and discuss with others ways to advocate for Ari and the Autistic Community.
 
I would appreciate if you would circulate this information to your mailing lists of participants, parents and other parties interested in the welfare of Autistic people.
 
Thank you!
 
Katie Miller

 
ASAN website: http://www.autisticadvocacy.org/
Facebook group "Confirm Ari Ne'eman" http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108956302461753
New York Times Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/28/health/policy/28autism.html
Newsweek blog article: http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2010/03/29/ari-ne-eman-and-the-controversy-over-an-autism-cure.aspx
 
Blog Posts:
http://counteringageofautism.blogspot.com/2010/03/one-person-is-not-lightning-rod-that.htmlhttp://www.ncd.gov/
http://autisticbfh.blogspot.com/2010/03/senate-needs-to-confirm-neeman.html
http://www.care2.com/causes/politics/blog/controversy-over-ari-neeman-the-national-council-on-disability/
http://www.blogher.com/block-autistic-self-advocacy
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/autistic-man-deserves-appointment-to-national-council-on-disability
http://autisticjournalist.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/autism-thunderstruck-by-new-controversy/
 
Tips on writing to your Senators: http://paulacdurbinwestbyautisticblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/ari-neeman-appointment-to-ncd-on-hold.html