AuSM’s Seventh Annual Autistic Community Summit Returns Nov. 9
The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) will host its 7th annual Autistic Community Summit on November 9 at Woodlake Church in Richfield – an event planned by autistics, for autistics, and one of the first events of its kind in the nation.
The theme for this year’s Autistic Community Summit, “Service, Connection, and Change in the Autism Community,” highlights how autistics can profoundly impact each other and the broader community. Many sessions will focus on the ways that autistics can support one another and give back to their larger communities, whether through volunteering, work, mentorship, advocacy, or creating their own autistic-led initiatives. The full schedule of breakout sessions is here.
Summit Highlights
- Keynote presentation, “A World of Possibilities: Rethinking Autistic Contribution and Work,” by AJ Locashio, founder of Umbrella US.
- A full hybrid option, with sessions and social times offered both in-person and virtually.
- All event decisions were made by the Summit Committee, a group of autistic staff, board members, and community members.
The autistic community is chronically under-employed and unemployed, which is why AuSM keeps tickets low-cost at $35. Click here to register.
The purpose of the Autistic Community Summit is to provide a space for community building and sharing the knowledge and perspectives of Minnesota’s autistic community. Guided by what autistics want and need, this event is a space where our community can be truly themselves, without judgment and without fear, while sharing their lived experience and expertise in community with each other.
This year’s Summit will have discussions about how autistics can connect more with other people, and through those connections make positive changes. Building authentic connections within our community fosters solidarity and mutual growth, while extending these connections to the wider society promotes understanding and inclusion.
AuSM believes that our Autistic Community Summit can be a model for organizations like ours to look to when organizing their own community initiatives and events – particularly in terms of accessibility and inclusion. AuSM and the Summit committee thought beyond making the event accessible for guests, because it’s also important to consider inclusion for event organizers, speakers, staff, volunteers, and sponsors. The Summit’s Accessibility Guide is here.
This Summit is intended for people who identify as autistic, giving our community an accessible space to share their experiences and wisdom. As a public event, AuSM and the Summit committee ask our non-autistic friends and guests to allow as much space as possible for autistic presenters and participants. In general, Summit is not the forum for non-autistic conversation and questions; each moment here can be important for autistics in ways neurotypical people might not see.
About the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM)
Founded in 1971, AuSM’s mission is to create connections, empowering everyone in the autism community with the resources needed to live fully. AuSM serves Minnesotans, throughout their lives, with a fundamental commitment to advocacy, education, support, collaboration, and community building. AuSM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more about AuSM’s programs, services, and advocacy, visit www.ausm.org.