April is about Autism Acceptance Making Inclusion and Acceptance the Norm

Autism is a Spectrum- and Acceptance Matters


April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from outdated and using awareness to acceptance to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - experience more about Autism Society's Autism IS series here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.
Last year Maryland Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month  and Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller presented the Governor’s proclamation to recognize people who are living with autism and those who advocate on their behalf, and honor the contributions of the autism community. She was joined by Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty and Maryland Statewide Autism Coordinator Victoria Rodriguez-Roldán in unveiling Maryland’s five-year Autism State Plan.  This year ADS is screening Being Michelle on Wednesday April 8th at 4:00p in ENG 027 - please join us!

Being on the Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a wide range of traits, and is explained well here.  For a more visual presentation, Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on PBS's In a Different Key which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.
Recently, autism has been in the news, resulting in leading autism organizations to release this joint statement on upholding scientific integrity and supporting the autism community. 

Finally, with Autism Awareness Month, it's important to move beyond basic awareness and focus on real understanding. There are still many myths about autism that create barriers for autistic individuals. With understanding, acceptance, and respect for different communication styles, we can help create a more inclusive world. These facts are based on resources from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Different Minds Scotland, two organizations doing critical work to promote accurate information about autism. Let's keep learning, listening, and working toward true inclusion, not just in April, but all year long.

Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'Everyone with autism is either non-verbal or a savant.' Right side shows fact: Autism Spectrum Disorder varies widely among individuals; not all are non-verbal or savants. Some live independently, while others need more support. Illustration of three people using laptops and phones together.
Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'People with autism cannot form relationships.' Right side shows fact: Many people with autism want and can form strong relationships with support and understanding. Illustration of two people talking and smiling while seated on yellow chairs
Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'Autism mainly affects young children.' Right side shows fact: Autism is lifelong; people are born autistic, and some aren't diagnosed until adulthood. Illustration of a group of children playing and making heart signs with their hands.

Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'You can tell someone is autistic by looking at them.' Right side shows fact: Autism isn't always visible and should not be dismissed based on appearance. Illustration of four interlocking puzzle pieces in black, gray, and yellow.


People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 

Thumbnail Photo credit: unsplash.com
*See UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language - it's better to ask about preferences than assume

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This past week ADS's own Toritsegbogwa (Tori) Jakpa , SDS Assistive Technology  & Accessibility Specialist, presented at the national Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) conference in Denver on her research, "Overmedicalization in the Age of Social Media: Gen Z's Struggle with Self-Diagnosis," which she conducted with her research partner from Purdue University, Monaami Pal.

Her poster presentation in summary: Research studies have shown that there is a close relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and the American Psychiatric Association, leading to a tendency amongst mental health professionals to interpret everyday emotional suffering to be a medical condition which needs treatment. This is also fueled by the social media culture and the rise of influencers in the health and well-being industry. Our goal is to investigate how self diagnosis affects Generation Z. This issue of overmedicalization and self diagnosis is amplified by socioeconomic factors such as limited access to mental health services, geographic disparities in availability of healthcare, stigma associated with seeking medical help, and insurance affordability. Finally, we will apply crip theory and mad studies as frameworks to develop more effective and inclusive strategies to aid Gen Z’s mental health needs in higher educational systems.

When Tori is on campus, she works with undergraduate and graduate students registered with Student Disability Services, creating solutions with accessible technology.
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Autism is a Spectrum- and Acceptance Matters


April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from outdated and using awareness to acceptance to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - experience more about Autism Society's Autism IS series here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.

On April 25, Maryland Governor Wes Moore proclaimed April as Autism Awareness Month  and Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller presented the Governor’s proclamation to recognize people who are living with autism and those who advocate on their behalf, and honor the contributions of the autism community. She was joined by Maryland Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty and Maryland Statewide Autism Coordinator Victoria Rodriguez-Roldán in unveiling Maryland’s five-year Autism State Plan.


Being on the Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a wide range of traits, and is explained well here.  For a more visual presentation, Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on PBS's In a Different Key which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.

Recently, autism has been in the news, resulting in leading autism organizations to release this joint statement on upholding scientific integrity and supporting the autism community. 

Finally, as we close out Autism Awareness Month, it's important to move beyond basic awareness and focus on real understanding. There are still many myths about autism that create barriers for autistic individuals. With understanding, acceptance, and respect for different communication styles, we can help create a more inclusive world. These facts are based on resources from the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Different Minds Scotland, two organizations doing critical work to promote accurate information about autism. Let's keep learning, listening, and working toward true inclusion, not just in April, but all year long.

Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'Everyone with autism is either non-verbal or a savant.' Right side shows fact: Autism Spectrum Disorder varies widely among individuals; not all are non-verbal or savants. Some live independently, while others need more support. Illustration of three people using laptops and phones together.

Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'People with autism cannot form relationships.' Right side shows fact: Many people with autism want and can form strong relationships with support and understanding. Illustration of two people talking and smiling while seated on yellow chairs

Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'Autism mainly affects young children.' Right side shows fact: Autism is lifelong; people are born autistic, and some aren't diagnosed until adulthood. Illustration of a group of children playing and making heart signs with their hands.

Graphic titled 'Autism MythBusters'. Left side shows myth: 'You can tell someone is autistic by looking at them.' Right side shows fact: Autism isn't always visible and should not be dismissed based on appearance. Illustration of four interlocking puzzle pieces in black, gray, and yellow.


People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 


Thumbnail Photo credit: unsplash.com

*See UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language - it's better to ask about preferences than assume
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Join the U.S. Congress, Maryland Department of Disabilities  and the disability community within UMBC and beyond to celebrate National Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness Day.


National AT Awareness Day honors people with disabilities who require AT to access their education, workplace, community, and recreational activities. The day also recognizes the innovation of researchers, educators, and the dedication of AT specialists and program providers who operate AT programs so that millions of individuals can acquire and use low-cost and often no-cost AT.  


Every state has an Assistive Technology Program that is a resource for its residents - information on Maryland's Assistive Technology program MDTAP is linked here.  MDTAP AT loan libraries are located throughout the state with nine community locations so people can try out devices for suitability before committing to a purchase.  Assistive Technology is in regular use on campus.


Learn more about Maryland's AT High Tech Reuse Program on June 12th via the MDoD webinar, register via this Zoom link - potentially a no-cost option for some Maryland residents.


More information about National Assistive Technology Day is available at the link below.


Blind Industries and Services of Maryland is in nearby Halethorpe and works with Marylanders and vision loss, including connecting with resources for incorporating assistive technology into daily living.  Celebrate with group of AT users this Saturday at their upcoming Brew Reveal.

#ATAwarenessDay #disability #disabilityinclusion


At UMBC the Office of Accessibility & Disability Services can be a resource for co-creating a disability-friendly community on campus (which may include assistive technology), including these processes:

A thumbnail of a laptop with braille assistive technology in the foreground accompanies this post, credit: unsplash.com
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Autism is a Spectrum- from Awareness to Acceptance


April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to acceptance to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - read more about it from the Autism Society here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.

Being on the Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a rainbow of traits, and is explained well here.  Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty here. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on PBS's In a Different Key which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.

People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 


Sexual Assault Awareness Month


April is also a time when UMBC highlights awareness about sexual assault - which informs community safety and health at UMBC. ADS and SDS are acutely aware of how this harmful and criminal behavior disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  Hannah Gadsby speaks about her experience within the wide-ranging special, Nanette. Information on how to access help and support is available at any time on the ECR website.

Learn more about Disability, Victimization and becoming a survivor here.  Become involved with awareness, prevention and safety by participating in Green Dot (prevention) Training and being familiar with UMBC Resources.


Have a good April everyone!

Thumbnail Photo credit: unsplash.com

*See UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language
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Join ADS, SDS and Social Work for the UMBC (free) screening of unseen, an award-winning documentary described as:

Most people dream of a better future. Pedro, an aspiring social worker, is no different. But as a blind, undocumented immigrant, Pedro faces political restrictions to obtain his college degree, secure a job in his field, and support his family. As he finally graduates, uncertainty looms over Pedro. What starts as a journey to provide mental health care for his community ultimately transforms into Pedro’s path towards his own healing. 

Through experimental cinematography and sound, UNSEEN reimagines the accessibility of cinema, while exploring the intersections of immigration, disability, and mental health.

When:  Thursday March 14, 2024 at 4:30p
Where: Public Policy 105

Prepare for an experience that will leave you talking long after the credits roll - and may influence matters of inclusion, immigration, health care, public policy, film design, and raise your awareness of how people engage with the world.  

Audience dialogue with Social Work faculty and ADS staff to follow the film.

The Public Policy Lecture Hall is on the first floor, has accessible seating, and a range of features that enhance accessibility for audiences.  The film is captioned, and an audio-described version is available upon request. Mask use is very welcome.  Please email any accommodation requests and event inquiries to slazar@umbc.edu with "Documentary" in the subject line

Co-Sponsored by The School of Social Work and Human Context of Computing

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Autism is a Spectrum- from Awareness to Acceptance


April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link), with more events happening across the United States.   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to acceptance to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - read more about it from the Autism Society here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.

Being on the Autism Spectrum is a nuanced diagnosis with a rainbow of traits, and is explained well here.  Rebecca Burgess also explains the spectrum within her comic on The Mighty here. Day-to-day living and learning independence was recently examined in depth on PBS's In a Different Key which covers the history of autism and highlights the experience of a range of people with autism, their families and their community.

People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 


Sexual Assault Awareness Month


April is also a time when UMBC highlights awareness about sexual assault - which informs community safety and health at UMBC. ADS and SDS are acutely aware of how this harmful and criminal behavior disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  Hannah Gadsby speaks about her experience within the wide-ranging special, Nanette. Information on how to access help and support is available at any time on the OEI website.

Learn more about Disability, Victimization and becoming a survivor here.  Become involved with awareness, prevention and safety by participating in Green Dot (prevention) Training and being familiar with UMBC Resources.


Have a good April everyone!

A silhouette of a person standing underneath a multi-colored sky with the  Milky Way illuminated illustrates this post. Photo credit: unsplash.com

*See UMBC's Style Guide about variations within inclusive language
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Autism - from Awareness to Acceptance


April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to acceptance this year to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism - read more about it from the Autism Society here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here, and a deeper dive sharing the voices of many people on the Autism Spectrum is posted here.

People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 

National Deaf History Month


National Deaf History Month runs from March 13-April 15th - and had its beginning in 1996 when two Deaf employees at Martin Luther King Library in DC began teaching their colleagues American Sign Language.  (UMBC has American Sign Language courses throughout the year, and Sign of  Life is the student organization for people who are learning/know ASL) April 8, 1864 was when Gallaudet University-the world's first institution of higher education for the Deaf and hard of hearing,  April 15th, 1817 is when the American School for the Deaf - the first public school of its kind - opened. 

Recent history includes the 2021 movie CODA winning Best Picture and Deaf actor Troy Kotsur, winning Best Actor at the Oscars, among other Oscars that night and SAG awards for best cast.  Marlee Matlin, who won her first Oscar in 1987, played a pivotal role in advocating for a predominantly Deaf cast.  Perhaps some of UMBC's students and alumni will be influenced by this history-making, if-you-can-see-it-you-can-be-it moment? Students, faculty and staff can learn more about UMBC's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services here.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month


This month we highlight awareness about sexual assault - which informs community safety and health at UMBC. ADS and SDS are acutely aware of how this harmful and criminal behavior disproportionately affects people with disabilities.  Participating in the campus climate survey supports the campus awareness and training and response efforts. UMBC Office of Equity and Inclusion's survey is now open. You can access the online survey here and it will be open until Monday, April 25, 2022 and will take about 15-25 minutes to complete. This survey is anonymous and confidential; only after completing the Campus Climate Survey, is there a voluntary prompt for a drawing.

Content note: This survey asks some questions about personal experiences with sexual and interpersonal violence. Some of the language used in this survey is explicit and direct, and may be triggering or uncomfortable for some participants. Information on how to get help, if you need it, appears before and after the survey and is available at any time on the OEI website.

Learn more about Disability and Victimization here.  Become involved with awareness, prevention and safety by participating in Green Dot (prevention) Training and being familiar with UMBC Resources.


*People with disabilities, including the Deaf and Autistic communities are not a monolith, it's important to respect how people individually self-identify.
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Please join us (ADS, SDS, The Women's Center, Critical Social Justice and more) for the screening of Crip Camp, today at 3p, if you have seen it already, the discussion starts online at 5:00.  Details for joining today's Crip Camp Event are linked here.

Our next UMBC Accessibility Walk happens this Friday at noon. Consider dressing up as a s/hero-with-a-disability for our trick-or-treat theme.

And speaking of celebrations, and observing the holiday accessibly and inclusively- here are tips about dressing up and preparing for the holiday - there are simple strategies for an inclusive experience, as well as avoiding costumes that perpetuate stigmatization by overlapping horror with disability.  Read more here.

On the horizon for November - please join us, with Athletics' Allied Sports for their League of Dreams event on the 11th in the RAC - click here for details.

A photo of a carved, lit jack-o-lantern with a cartoonish surprised face accompanies the myUMBC post.

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April is known as Autism Awareness Month, including April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (link).   In listening to many within the Autism community - there is a call for media to move from using awareness to “acceptance” this year to foster change and inclusivity for those affected by autism – read more about it from the Autism Society here.  Information on What is Autism is linked here.

People of all identities around the world live, go to school and go to work with the neurodiversity that Autism brings to a world, often with struggle and difficulty. UMBC's students, faculty, staff, and visitors have this neurodiversity as well.  While many learn and work well with best practices and accessible design,  students (both undergraduate and graduate), as well as faculty and staff who experience disability with a diagnosed health condition (which includes autism) may seek accommodations through Student Disability Services (link) for academic programs, as well as work-related accommodations via Accessibility & Disability Services. 

UMBC is not unique with inclusion, accessibility and accommodation of people with autism on the job- some employers have specialized programs including Freddie Mac (link), Microsoft (link), as well as Ernst & Young, in addition to requesting job accommodations generally. Symone, an adult with autism, was interviewed by Ask a Manager’s Alison Green about her work experience at a majority-autistic company (link) and reviews several modifications to the hiring process that provide disability-friendly solutions for Autistic job seekers.

Other Autistic adults share their stories:


Research on Autism is ongoing, such as what Wendy Chung explains here (link), however, like most people. those who have been diagnosed or identify as Autistic* are seeking dignity, understanding, respect and inclusion within their families, schools, workplace and community - not a "cure".  Take a journey with Steve Silberman to learn of The Forgotten History of Autism. He went on to write NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity - the future is inclusive of Autism Women & Non-Binary Network and the voices within All The Weight of Our Dreams: On Living with Racialized Autism.

For more reading - there are many, many books (memoirs, non-fiction and fiction) by Actually Autistic authors (link).  Most recently the 28 essays within Sincerely, Your Autistic Child share insight for parents and those who love Autistic children from those with lived experience. 

Additional Autism-focused media include:  Everything's Going to Be Okay, Please Stand By, My Name is Khan, Temple Grandin, The Imitation Game, A Brilliant Young Mind, Rain Man, Ocean Heaven, The Lighthouse of Orcas, Marathon, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Atypical, Autism in Love, The Horse Boy, as well as Life, Animated.  Many are available through UMBC's library and public library options.

*The Autistic community is not a monolith  - it's important to respect how people individually self-identify.
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