Advocacy at ASNL
ASNL advances inclusion and equity through both individual and systemic advocacy. Our work is grounded in lived experience and informed by the barriers and strengths we see across education, employment, healthcare, and community systems.
Our Advocacy Focus
Our advocacy operates across multiple levels to create meaningful change:
Individuals
Education, employment, and healthcare support for autistic individuals and their families.
Provincial Policy
Amplifying autistic voices to influence policy and systems change in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Communities
​Education, employment, and healthcare support for autistic individuals and their families.
National Collaboration
Partnering across Canada to share knowledge and promote greater consistency in advocacy efforts.
Individual Advocacy
ASNL provides individualized advocacy to support autistic people and their families as they navigate complex systems. This includes systems navigation and one-to-one support in areas such as education, the workplace, health, and community services. Our approach is strengths-based and neuro-affirming, centring the goals and lived experiences of the individual. We work alongside people and families to clarify processes, explore options, and address barriers to meaningful participation.
Systemic Advocacy
We engage in systemic advocacy to address broader patterns and gaps within public systems. Our system-level work is directly informed by themes and challenges identified through our individual advocacy conversations. By grounding policy discussions in lived experience, we bring forward practical, evidence-informed recommendations. Our current systemic advocacy priorities include inclusive education and improving access to systems, including assessment and diagnosis.