Ari Ne'eman facts for kids

Ari Daniel Ne'eman (born December 10, 1987) is an American activist for disability rights. He helped start the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) in 2006. In 2009, President Barack Obama chose him to join the National Council on Disability. This council advises the government on disability issues.

After a delay, the United States Senate approved him to serve on the Council in 2010. He led the council's Policy & Program Evaluation Committee. This made him the first autistic person to hold such a role on the council. He left the council in 2015 after serving two terms. Today, he works as an advisor for the American Civil Liberties Union. He is also a professor at Harvard University, teaching about health policy.

Early Life and School

Ari Ne'eman was born to American-Israeli and Israeli parents. He grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey. From a young age, he showed signs of autism. He became interested in how government policies affect people. He often does things like pacing or flapping his hands, which are common for autistic people. He also has trouble with certain sounds and textures.

When he was young, Ari was good with words but felt alone. Like many autistic kids, he was bullied. In his early teens, he struggled with anxiety. He had to leave his Jewish day school around fifth grade, which made him sad.

For a while in high school, Ari went to a special school just for students with disabilities. He didn't like it because he felt it was like a "day care." He thought the school focused too much on making disabled students "normal." He felt they weren't challenged enough academically. He said that he and other students "were being written off." They were judged because of what society expected from people with disabilities. Using his skills, Ari was able to go back to a regular school.

This experience greatly shaped how Ari saw the world. He said that even though he returned to a regular school, many students might believe they are "inferior." He worried this belief could limit their potential.

After high school, he started the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He then went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He earned a degree in Political Science.

Advocacy Work

Starting the Autistic Self Advocacy Network

After high school, Ari Ne'eman started the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). This is a group run by and for autistic adults and young people. Its goal is to speak up for autistic rights.

In 2006, the Governor of New Jersey asked him to join a special education committee. This group was looking at the needs of students with disabilities. Ari wrote a separate report for the committee. He was worried that the main report didn't say enough about harsh methods. These methods included using pain, holding people down, or isolating them. He wanted these methods to be banned or used only in emergencies.

As ASAN's president, Ari kept working against these harsh methods. He spoke out in many ways, from local campaigns to official government meetings. In 2007, he spoke to the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee. He later joined this committee himself. He asked them to focus research on supporting autistic people, not just finding a "cure." He also wanted more autistic people to be on the committee.

Under Ari's leadership, ASAN worked on both government policies and changing how society thinks. ASAN became well-known for its successful campaign against a harmful ad campaign. They also often spoke out against another group called Autism Speaks. Ari and ASAN have also worked to help autistic adults find jobs. They pushed for better inclusion in schools for autistic youth. They also worked to strengthen laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities.

In 2016, Ari Ne'eman announced he would step down as ASAN president. He then became an advisor for the American Civil Liberties Union. He is also writing a book about the history of disability in the United States.

Other Advocacy Efforts

Ari Ne'eman believes society should focus on helping autistic people. He thinks we should not just look for a "cure." He asks scientists studying autism's genetics to think about the right and wrong of their research.

He also believes that how "social" someone is should not be the main reason for hiring them. It should also not be the main way to judge their job performance.

In 2010, President Barack Obama chose Ari to join the National Council on Disability. Some people criticized Ari's view that autism should not be "cured." This might have caused a delay in his approval.

Besides the National Council on Disability, Ari also served on other important groups. He was on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. He also helped lead the New Jersey Adults with Autism Task Force.

Ari Ne'eman led a campaign in Washington State to remove a bus ad. This ad said it wanted to "wipe out" autism.

In 2014, Ari received the $100,000 Ruderman prize. This award recognizes people who work for inclusion.

He has also advised several candidates running for president. He helped them create plans for disability policy.

ASAN first stayed neutral on a bill called Kevin and Avonte's Law. This law would help prevent autistic children from wandering off. But then a part was added that allowed tracking devices to be used for other reasons. ASAN then opposed the bill, and it did not pass. Later, a new version of the law passed without the part ASAN had disliked.

In 2020, Ari Ne'eman supported the FDA's ban on electric shock devices. These devices were used at a place called the Judge Rotenberg Center.

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Ari Ne'eman spoke up for the rights of people with disabilities. He wanted to make sure they could get needed services and medicines. He also argued that medical care, like ventilators, should not be denied to people just because they have a disability. He urged states to allow early refills for prescriptions. He also suggested ways to keep long-term care services going for people with disabilities.

In 2014, Ari Ne'eman helped start MySupport. This is a website that helps people with disabilities find and hire support workers. Another company bought MySupport in 2020.

Views on Autism

Some news reports have said that Ari Ne'eman sees autism only as a difference, not a disability. But Ari has said that he believes autism is both a neurological difference and a disability. He does not think it is a disease that needs to be cured. He is against how autism is sometimes shown negatively in the media. He sees autistic self-advocacy as a civil rights issue.

Personal Life

Ari Ne'eman married Rabbi Ruti Regan in July 2017. She is also a disability rights advocate.

See also

• Autism rights movement
• Neurodiversity