Nothing About Us Without Us!
About ASAN AUNZ
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network of Australia and New Zealand (ASAN AUNZ) is run by Australian and New Zealander Autistic people, for Autistic people. We are the peak body for Autistic Self-Advocacy in Australia and New Zealand.
We are associated with ASAN USA making us a part of an international Autism Self-Advocacy Network.
ASAN AUNZ understands that Autistic citizens can contribute to society and enriching the lives of their families and communities. We are committed to enable Autistic citizens to achieve their full potential in society.
While society provides supports and accommodations for many of its citizens, there is not enough of an understanding of the specific needs of Autistic children and adults. Autistic people are entitled to be involved in the planning of services to be used by themselves and their peers.
Inclusive and equitable services can only be developed when stakeholders contribute positively towards promoting their own wellbeing and connectedness to society.
We work from the phrase ‘Nothing about us, without us!’ which means that Autistic people should get a say in how people give support to us and how we are seen in the world.
ASAN AUNZ activities include:
Systemic Advocacy
We talk to people in government, disability, and mainstream services to let them know what Autistic people need and want.
We sit on committees and are members of other organisations so that Autistic views are heard.
These committees and organisations include:
The Autism Advisory Group for the National Disability Insurance Agency
The Australian Autism Alliance
The Autism Cooperative Research Centre Australia and New Zealand
People with Disability Australia
Autism New Zealand
My Life, My Voice, New Zealand
Disabled People’s Assembly New Zealand
Information
We share information via Facebook, LinkedIn and our website so that people can stay up to date with what is happening in self-advocacy.
Self-Advocacy Resources
We provide links to resources about self-advocacy, autism, and disability. We are also putting together some toolkits for Autistic people which you will be able to download from our website.
Consultation on accommodating Neurodivergent people across community settings
We talk to people about the best ways to include Autistic people in the community and how to make their places and spaces more autism friendly.
Research evaluation and dissemination
We talk to people who are doing research about Autistic people to help them make their research better. We also let our community know if there is good research happening so they can join a study or read about a project that is finished.
Our Business Address is:
2 Walters Crescent
Aberfoyle Park SA
AUSTRALIA 5159
PHONE 0400 003 656
