Freedom - BlackAuDHD
Pronouns: They/them
Freedom is an autistic non-binary individual who received a clinical confirmation diagnosis for ASD in their mid 20's. Their lack of access to a formal and written diagnoses highlights the struggles many, especially those who belong to marginalized groups, continuously experience. Freedom openly speaks about intersectionality, and the struggles racial bias has created specifically for BIPOC autistic individuals as well other topics related to autism on their YouTube channel. Recently, Freedom also hosted a class on Shame & Autism at the end of October 2021. Freedom's Beacons page and Youtube channel - Black AuDHD - are linked below!
Contact: blackaudhd@gmail.com
Jack Catalano
Pronouns: he/him
Jack is a 9th year public school teacher for students with disabilities in New York City. Being both disabled himself, with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and neurodivergent with ADHD, he aims to be a neurodiversity affirming teacher. Jack works to change hearts and minds regarding the language surrounding disability. Since the beginning of the pandemic and joining TikTok, Jack has continued to learn from Autistic voices. He has moved away from using harmful language such as high or low functioning labels, special needs, and the deficit model. Instead, utilizing terminology such as low and high support needs, disabled, strengths based approach and more. Jack believes his disabled students' needs are not special needs - they are human needs, like everyone else. Jack focuses his efforts on providing his students with greater access to supports, and always leads with an Anti-Ableist framework for teaching. Learn more about Jack via his Instagram and TikTok below!