CEO. Rights Activist. Self-Advocate.
Who is Ari Ne'eman?
Ari Ne'eman's journey in public service began earlier than most. At the age of 12, Ne'eman was diagnosed with autism, which was rather a shock to his parents. But a diagnosis of any kind didn't mean much to him at that age. It wasn't until he got older that it began to mean something different, something a little scary. In an interview with the Washington Post, Ne'eman said, "People do not talk about welcoming autistic people to their communities. People talk about fear and tragedy and burden." Ari Ne'eman has made it his mission to give a voice to the country's autistic community.
Ari Ne'eman, Photo from Wired
You Can Make a Difference (Even at 18)
At the age of 18, Ne'eman co-founded the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), and served as its President for 10 years. ASAN, a nonprofit, was founded with the goal to encourage advocacy for autism and disability rights. Staff and involved advocates host leadership trainings, informational meetings, and facilitate other educational activities. ASAN's Board is comprised of individuals from across the country who want to encourage acceptance and initiate change when it comes to the view of autism in America.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has gone from being a group of students who wanted to make a difference to one of the United States' most prominent disability rights organizations. As its President, Ari was instrumental in this effort. His work attracted hundreds of supporters, enabled self-advocates to speak up for their rights, and encouraged the government to make the United States a more inclusive place to live.
In 2009, Ari was appointed to the National Council on Disability by President Obama. He was confirmed in 2010 and served on the Council until 2015.
Ari Today
Since resigning as the President of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Ari has continued to support the autistic community and create innovative solutions to complex problems. In 2018, he founded the platform MySupport. The goal of MySupport is to match those who want or require support needs with a support worker. The matches are made based on compatible personalities and allows for trust to be made before a support worker enters your home.
He currently serves as the CEO for MySupport, consults for the ACLU, and advises various civil rights and disability advocacy organizations.
"My saving grace was connecting with other autistic adults and finding out that there was this larger community of autistic people who weren't willing to just passively accept how the world defines us."
Be More Like Ari!
The 2019 legislative session might be over, but now is the time to get in on the action!
Do you want to thank your legislators for their work this session? Are you ready to look to the future? Then join ARRM staff and attend our Coffee with Legislators event series! These coffee events will be held in: Blue Earth, Eden Prairie, Stillwater, Saint Cloud, Minneapolis, and Duluth. If you live/work in one of those areas or have a loved one in one of those areas, come out and make your voice heard.
Also, visit www.arrm.org/thanks for digital tools to say thanks. Help us advocate for the disability services workforce. Ari never stops advocating and neither should you!
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