Scrap the Puzzle Pieces: A Crash Course on the Autistic Community

What can you expect?

Have you ever "lit it up blue" for World Autism Awareness Day or donated to Autism Speaks? If so, it's time to hear directly from an autistic person and facilitator about how the autistic community feels about these actions, and what they actually represent. Join Raya Shields on November 8th for an informative crash course on the autistic community.

• An introduction to autism from the perspective of autistic folks
• Discussion of neurodiversity + autistic identity
• Myths + facts about autism
• The medical vs the social model of disability as it pertains to autism
• Basic principles of respectful engagement with autistic folks
• Sensory and communication differences between autistic and allistic people and how to bridge these
• Practical tips for allies and making events/spaces welcoming to autistic participants

Q&A

Please send your questions to Raya in advance of the workshop at [email protected]. She is unable to answer questions in real time, but will answer any sent by e-mail afterwards as well.

Event details

Virtual doors will open at 4:15pm EDT and the workshop will begin promptly at 4:30pm EDT.

Accessibility information

• Automatically-generated closed captioning available
• Full event recording will be made available to event attendees following the event
• PowerPoint slide access copies will be available prior to the event upon request. Please e-mail [email protected] if you would like to receive one.
• This event does not offer ASL

Please e-mail [email protected] for personal accommodation requests, and we will do our best to meet your needs.

About Raya Shields:

Raya has a BA in Child and Youth Care (CYC) from X University and an MA in Critical Disability Studies from York University. She currently works as an educational assistant at a small private elementary school for neurodivergent students and as a mentor to autistic youth and young adults. Raya also provides professional development for educators, administrators, and other interested parties. Raya is autistic and multiply neurodivergent and is passionate about funicular railways and vintage washing machines.

What is the Feminist Enterprise Commons (FEC)?

We are pleased to open this event to those outside of the Feminist Enterprise Commons!

This event is free for current members of the Feminist Enterprise Commons (FEC), a membership-based online hub and co-working for radical feminist entrepreneurs looking for community and collaboration opportunities. Learn more about the FEC and explore membership options here: https://feministenterprisecommons.mn.co/. Should you choose to attend this event and join the FEC afterwards, the cost of your ticket will be deducted from your cost of membership!

Banner image description:

Poster collage. Text on purple pieces of washi tape reads: "Scrap the puzzle pieces and blue light bulbs: a crash course on the autistic community." A ripped piece of white paper beside this tape has purple text that reads: "Monday, November 8th from 4:30-6:00pm ET. By: Raya Shields. MA Critical Disability Studies." In the background there is a colour photograph of train tracks, beige, pink, and purple slabs of paper, a black and white photograph of the moon, and a colour photograph of a person looking up at hanging strings of blue beads. A black and white arm reaches out from the right side of the poster with fingers intertwined with a swirling piece of pink ribbon.

LiisBeth is a womxn-led and owned indie intersectional-lens centered feminist media enterprise with a global outlook based in Tkaronto (Toronto), Ontario, on the traditional lands of the Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinabek, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit.

We publish an open-access monthly digital magazine (two-five features) and subscriber only newsletter for feminist entrepreneurs, creators, innovators, leaders and “solutionaries” working to re-imagine the economy and change business culture.” We also co-produce the Entrepreneurial Feminist Forum (EFF) and have recently launched a new membership-based online community space, the Feminist Enterprise Commons, where solutionaries can meet, share and learn.

We exist because there are not enough stories being published about womxn entrepreneurs, creators and though leaders who work to build anti-oppressive, anti-racist, gender-lens informed enterprises and communities. This work is hard. Imperfect. And deserves to be recorded and supported.

A WORD ABOUT OUR TICKET PRICING PHILOSOPHY

To recognize the value of the work that will go into this event and to generate some funds to fairly pay our presenter plus helps sustain the work of Liisbeth.com and the Feminist Enterprise Commons' online community, FEC event tickets are available at three price levels: Future Doula, Culture Maker and Pay What You Can--even if it is only $2.00 (no judgement!). It's about the commitment to show up--not the amount.

To select the ticket option that feels right for you, draw on the wisdom and example of Holly Poole-Kavana at Red Bird Botanicals. CV Harquail brought this framework to our attention. Holly created this guidance (below) which we cite with gratitude.

Consider choosing a lower ticket level if you:

• are supporting children or have other dependents
• have significant debt
• have medical expenses not covered by insurance
• receive public assistance
• have immigration-related expenses
• are an elder with limited financial support
• are an unpaid community organizer
• Consider choosing a higher ticket level if you:

Consider a higher ticket level if you:

• own the home you live in
• have investments, retirement accounts, or inherited money
• travel recreationally
• have access to family money and resources in times of need
• work part time by choice
• have a relatively high degree of earning power due to level of education (or gender and racial privilege, class background, physical ability, etc.) Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, I ask you to recognize this as a choice.

Event Venue

Online