Autistic Scholars Fellowship  - Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) 

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the 
Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) is very pleased to announce the beginning 
of a new college scholarship program for autistic students, the Autistic 
Scholars Fellowship. 
 
The ASAN Autistic Scholars Fellowship program, a new ASAN project to advance 
campus leadership, will provide 3 to 5 autistic students $5,000 tuition 
scholarships each to create systems change on their college campuses. Fellows 
will be required to establish or participate in a leadership role within an ASAN 
campus chapter or a disability rights student organization, work to promote 
Autistic culture and community, and take steps to improve disability 
accessibility and inclusion on their college campuses. Fellows are also expected 
to check in with ASAN on a monthly basis to receive support in achieving their 
advocacy projects. Applicants must be Autistic, be willing to publicly identify 
as such and should have a strong interest in disability rights advocacy and 
activism. 
 
Scholarship applications can be found here.<http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/dia/trac
k.jsp?v=2&c=Dcba2C8k8bH6rcrJANTXh6qVoX%2F4d3T4> 
Completed applications for the January 2016 scholarship period are due on 
November 15. Application questions will ask students to describe the current 
problems for autistic and other disabled students on their college campuses and 
explain how their planned activities under the fellowship will enable them 
address these problems. ASAN staff will review completed applications and 
interview a select group of students starting in mid-November. We expect to 
inform fellowship recipients of their selection by mid-December. 
 
ASAN will look for the following indicators when screening applicants for the 
scholarship: 
 
  *   Strong interest in civil rights advocacy and activism for autistic people 
and other people with disabilities. If students are not yet involved in 
disability rights, involvement in or support for other causes can demonstrate 
potential for leading disability rights efforts. 
  *   A background in and experience with the values of the neurodiversity 
movement 
  *   A commitment to building Autistic culture and community on their college 
campus or in their local community 
  *   Commitment to working with all autistic people in an inclusive and 
welcoming fashion 
 
ASAN is able to offer this program thanks to the support of a generous donor. 
 
Questions about the fellowship program and the application process should be 
directed to Natalia Rivera Morales, Leadership Programs Coordinator for ASAN, at 
nriveramorales@autisticadvocacy.org<nriveramorales@autisticadvocacy.org>.