If you were unable to participate in

What Is This World Coming To?: The Use of Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights ,  check the autism NOW website for an archived link. http://www.ndrn.org/images/Documents/Resources/Publications/Reports/Devaluing_People_with_Disabilities.pdf  Chairperson: The powerpoint and recording will be provided to all participants.  http://goo.gl/PkqVa or www.ndrn.org

In April, Dr. Phil did a show called Deadly Consequences: Mercy or Murder. It presented the idea that parents should be able to euthanize their children who have intellectual disabilities.

In May, a report documented cases where basics like food, water and medication were denied to people with disabilities who had minor illnesses. This report, Devaluing People with Disabilities: Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights, is written by National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) and Disability Rights Washington. It looks at instances where parents have used procedures to prevent puberty in their children with disabilities.

Join us to become more aware of these issues and how to help ensure the protection of the civil and human rights of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities!

This enlightening and vital discussion was conducted by:

David R. Carlson is the Associate Director of Legal Advocacy for Disability Rights Washington ("DRW"). David advocates for the rights of people with disabilities. David is co-author of Devaluing People with Disabilities: Medical Procedures that Violate Civil Rights, a report released by National Disability Rights Network and Disability Rights Washington. Additionally, he co-authored a report on the legal rights implicated by the hormone and surgical procedures used in the "Ashley Treatment" to keep a six year old girl from growing, which received 
the National TASC Advocacy Award in 2007.

Diane Coleman is the President of Not Dead Yet, a national disability rights group which she founded in 1996 to give voice to disability rights opposition to legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia. She is a well-known writer and speaker on assisted suicide and euthanasia, and has appeared on national television news broadcasts for Nightline, CNN, ABC, CBS, MSNBC and others, as well as National Public Radio. She co-authored Amicus Briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court and various state courts on behalf of Not Dead Yet and other national disability organizations on the topics of assisted suicide and surrogate health care decision making. Ms. Coleman is a person with neuromuscular disabilities who has used a motorized wheelchair since the age of eleven.

Max Barrows is a young man living with Autism and is supported by a family that believes in self-determination! Since 2007, Max Barrows has worked for Green Mountain Self-Advocates as the Outreach Coordinator. He provides training and technical assistance statewide, traveling to local self-advocacy groups around Vermont. He offers support to run their groups more effectively, and updates them on legislative issues that impact persons with disabilities. He is a skilled facilitator, who teaches a variety of sexuality and self-advocacy workshops. His talents as a public speaker have been called upon often, to MC at conferences and deliver keynote speeches. On September 25, 2010 Max was elected Vice-President of Self-Advocates Becoming Empowered (SABE), the national self-advocacy organization. In this position, he pays close attention to national disability issues, participating in many conference calls with other leaders. 

"Life on the Autism Spectrum can be ENJOYable."