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Autistic-Led Advocacy

Autistic-Led Advocacy

Organizations run by and for autistic and disabled people, and the publicly funded networks that reserve leadership roles for people with disabilities.

Based on Autistic Self Advocacy Network · ASAN · Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network · Self Advocates Becoming Empowered · CPIR · ACL · All sources · Checked November 3, 2026

20 yearsASAN marked its 20th anniversary in 2026Autistic Self Advocacy Network
60%of each State DD Council must be people with I/DD or their close family membersACL
75%of decision-making positions at Centers for Independent Living are held by people with disabilitiesACL

Nothing about us without us

These organizations are run by autistic and disabled people, or reserve leadership roles for them by law. They shape policy, publish accessible resources and train self-advocates. Listings link to external organizations; they do not imply affiliation, endorsement or guaranteed services, and eligibility, availability and costs change — confirm directly with each organization.

Autistic-led organizations

Autistic-ledAutistic Self Advocacy NetworkThe Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s site offers an Action Center with action alerts and an officials lookup, plus a resource library on health care, education, law and justice and community living; ASAN marked its 20th anniversary in 2026.Visit official resource Autistic-ledASAN — About ASANASAN’s mission: a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights and opportunities. A 501(c)(3) run by and for autistic people, it does policy and legal advocacy, makes educational resources and trains autistic self-advocates.Visit official resource Autistic-ledAutistic Women & Nonbinary NetworkThe Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network is a 501(c)(3) committed to disability justice, gender and racial equity and neurodiversity; its site hosts webinars, a blog and a voting guide.Visit official resource Autistic-ledSelf Advocates Becoming EmpoweredSelf Advocates Becoming Empowered is a nationwide self-advocacy organization of people with lived experience, with a board of self-advocates, that advocates for equal treatment, choices and rights.Visit official resource

Publicly funded networks led by disabled people

Federal agencyACL — State Councils on Developmental DisabilitiesThe 56 State Councils on Developmental Disabilities work on employment, health care, housing and education; at least 60% of each Council’s members must be people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or their close family members.Visit official resource Federal agencyACL — Centers for Independent LivingCenters for Independent Living are grassroots nonprofits in which people with disabilities hold 75% of decision-making positions; every center offers peer support and individual and systems advocacy.Visit official resource NonprofitCPIR — Self-AdvocacyAn introduction to self-advocacy and why it matters, with links to articles, podcasts and organizations.Visit official resource

Questions to ask

  • Does the organization have autistic people in leadership?
  • Are resources available in plain language or Easy Read?
  • How can my teen or adult child get involved in self-advocacy locally?

This website provides general educational information. It does not diagnose autism or replace individualized medical, developmental, psychological, or educational advice. Screening is not diagnosis.

External listings do not imply affiliation, endorsement, or guaranteed services. Eligibility, availability, costs, and insurance coverage may change. Research summaries reflect evidence available at the time of review.