About Autistic Self-Reliance
Who We Are
Autistic Self-Reliance is an autistic-led nonprofit dedicated to autistic wellbeing and success.
Our mission is for autistic people to experience wellbeing. That means that autistic people would have mostly positive feelings and meet our full potential in the world.
ASR is founded and led by autistic and ADHD women, with an all-neurodivergent team.
We’re working to #flipthepowerdynamic in autism research and support by determining our own path towards social, mental, and physical wellness.
Our Subsidiary
ITI Assistive Technologies
ITI makes apps to support autistic and neurodivergent adults with daily life. ITI will help fund ASR’s services while developing tools to address the needs of our community.
Approach
We center autistic people’s experiences around four pillars
Education
We will develop and record free online seminars and courses focused on strategies for navigating life and increasing well-being for autistic adults in-house and with partners.
Assistance
We will establish and contract with a for-profit subsidiary corporation to develop assistive apps for autistic people. Using subscription funds generated by this subsidiary, we will fund direct assistance
work.
Community Building
We will partner with existing virtual and in-person communities for autistic people and endeavor to support their
growth and flourishing.
Research and Advocacy
We aspire to change the focus of ASD research and treatment projects that receive funding to be on autistic wellbing.
Our Values
We wrote a plain language version of the ten principles of disability justice stewarded by the group Sins Invalid.
Intersectionality
People have different identities like race, class, age, and more, and these identities affect their lives. We should respect and understand these differences.
Leadership of Those Most Affected
We listen to and follow the people who are most affected by issues like disability discrimination, racism, and sexism. They know best how to fight these problems.
People Over Profit
Capitalism puts too much importance on making money and being productive. People with disabilities may not fit into this system, but that doesn’t mean they are worth any less.
Cross-Movement Solidarity
Disability justice should work with other movements like racial justice and environmental justice to create a strong, united front for change.
Recognizing Wholeness
Disabled people are just as complete and valuable as anyone else, with their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Sustainability
We should take our time and not rush when working for justice. Our bodies and experiences can guide us on this journey.
Commitment to Cross-Disability Solidarity
We include everyone with disabilities in our movement, from physical disabilities to mental health conditions, to build a stronger community.
Interdependence
We understand that we all rely on each other and the planet for our well-being. We work together without relying too much on the government.
Collective Access
We find creative ways to help each other access what we need, respecting each person’s unique needs and abilities.
Collective Liberation
We work together, no matter our differences, to create a world where every person is seen as beautiful and valuable. Disability justice is about the future we want to build for all generations.