The Voiceless Minority

Did you know that Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is required to help out with paying for out-of-state services if similar options cannot be found within the state? That’s right, the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance shares what to do when out-of-state requests are made. This also includes requests for postsecondary programs for people with Autism and/or other developmental disabilities. The document states that if a VR recipient is seeking services that fall into their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE), the agency should accommodate an out-of-state option if there are none available in-state.  I have not personally had any experience working with VR, so I cannot speak on that front. However, I do think that it’s important to note the importance of accessibility. If states do not have programs that fall in their IPE, are those states doing anything to create them? Having to uproot your life to access a program is not an easy thing to do - not just financially, but emot...

Imagine being employed by a large corporation as a person with a disability. Now imagine being told that your absences from work were excused because you needed time to recover from medical episodes. Now…next thing you know, you get fired from your place of employment. This is a harsh and unfortunate reality for those with disabilities. In one case, a previous Walmart employee in Henderson, NC, had five seizures between January and May 2017. The Walmart location knew about her epilepsy diagnosis and was given doctor’s notes. The location promised her that each absence would be excused; however, they did not explain the reason for her absences. Instead, they fired her due to her attendance.  Oh, you thought that was it? Walmart has done this in two other locations in North Carolina.  One previous Walmart employee in Raleigh and Statesville, NC, fired an employee for attendance issues when she had to go to the emergency room as a result of her Crohn’s disease. Another Walmart em...

Did you know that obesity during pregnancy may contribute to their child potentially developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?  This shocked me, too! According to an Australian meta-analysis, obesity during pregnancy was found to be more than double the risk of a child developing ASD, while the risk of ADHD increased by 32%. In this meta-analysis, maternal overweight and obesity before and during pregnancy were studied, and interestingly enough, showed significant links with psychiatric and behavioral problems in children later in life. I was reading this from a Newsweek article, and, of course, I have to practice philosophical doubt, meaning I have to question its credibility. Then I stumbled upon this research article . As a behavior analyst, I find myself curious to look at the data behind this. Lo and behold, the scientific evidence showed up, and my doubts were silenced.  It’s interesting, though, because I would have ...

  In September 2024, GemmoAI and the University of Limmerick launched the MoveMuse chatbot—a tool designed to help adults with Autism become more physically active. Through the application, it utilizes a method called “WOOP” - Wish (what you want to do), Outcome (how you’ll feel), Obstacle (what might stop you), and Plan (how to overcome the problem).   When I read this article, I found it interesting because I’ve seen applications that use different methods for weight loss. However, I hadn’t quite seen an application like this - one that provides this level of encouragement or planning. Many applications I see offer general exercises and diets that may help with weight loss, but they don’t necessarily have something that works for me.   If you know me, you know that I hate exercise. When I was in college, I lost roughly 70 pounds; however, I was too caught up in the number on the scale. I had anxious thoughts about what I was eating, how much I ate, and how often I exer...

  It is time to put virtual pen to paper once again. The Voiceless Minority has been silent for the last two months, and we apologize for that. As anyone who is an activist for any cause knows, advocacy never stops. We recognize that our silence over the last two months not only affects us personally, but also significantly impacts The Voiceless Minority as a whole. That being said, let’s transition into today’s post. On June 14th, Michelle Zeman, Samantha Lebron, and I gave a presentation at the 27th Annual Family Café, which told the story of the Voiceless Minority, at least, up until now. For those who are not aware, The Family Café is a Florida-based organization that has held the largest disability resource expo in the United States for the last 27 years. According to their website, The Family Café began in 1998 when a group of parents of children with disabilities recognized their shared challenge in finding the information, resources, and knowledge they required to facilitat...

The picture above is of Michelle Zeman. She is wearing glasses and a green blouse.  As you may or may not have heard by now, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently shared some statements about people with autism in an April 14 press conference. The rhetoric that he is spreading is causing an uproar within the autism community.   If you're new here, RFK has made some… bold (for lack of a nicer word)... statements about autism. : They will never pay taxes, they'll never hold a job, they'll never play baseball, they'll never write a poem, they'll never go out on a date. Many of them will never use a toilet unassisted." Do his comments represent me? Not. However,…is this a reality for some people with autism? Absolutely. That being said, it does not mean that they should be treated like they are less than a neurotypical person.   Another statement that he made was that autism is a preventable disease." It doesn't take...

On April 6, 2025, the U.S. Autism Show occurred in Honolulu, Hawaii. Speakers Michelle Zeman (L) and Martin Slyngstad (R) are standing with Daniel Zimmerman (M) to show off the Proclamation that Slyngstad and Zimmerman received in honor of April being Autism Acceptance Month in Honolulu A couple of weeks ago, I shared that I would travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, to speak at the first U.S. Autism Show. Now that the event has wrapped, I wanted to reflect on the experience and share what that was like.   I was honored to be one of only eight presenters at this event. Standing at the podium and sharing my story was profoundly personal and empowering. It was a chance to speak openly about my journey – through diagnosis, therapy, professional growth, and advocacy – and connect with others through shared experiences.   If you couldn't attend the talk, I shared my journey through several key areas of my life. I started by talking about my experiences before receiving a diagnosis—what life...

  Above is a woman with medium-length brown hair, glasses, pale skin, and a green shirt. The background of the photo is black. Today, I am writing to you from my living room with some exciting news to share. On April 6, 2025, I am scheduled to present at the inaugural US Autism Show in Oahu, Hawaii. The conference is hosted by Spire Autism & Da Vinci NCR Services LLC . The event aims to celebrate and support the Autism community in the USA, with its primary audience being the Autism community and clinicians. Neurodivergent Board Certified Behavior Analysts, like myself, will speak.   What inspired me to get involved in the event was recording an episode of Safe Space, the ABA Podcast with Daniel Zimmerman of Da Vinci NCR Services, LLC, about assent-based programming (to listen to the episode, click here ). Before recording, he told me about how they would host the US Autism Show in 2024; however, it was moved to April 2025 because they wanted to coincide the event with Au...

            Black and white image of a sign that reads sign 504 now. The "O" is made up of a wheelchair.  In “America in Danger of Going Backwards: If We Forget Our History, We Are Doomed to Repeat It” by Jason Hahr and Samantha Lebron, the authors discuss the lawsuit involving 17 states that attempt to overturn Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In today’s article, we will discuss what Section 504 is and why it’s crucial to maintain this legislation.   For those unaware, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a landmark piece of civil rights legislation prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The core provision of Section 504 states: “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall, solely because of their disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to di...

  In March 2024, the University of Illinois-Chicago opened an inclusive dental clinic designed specifically for people with disabilities. This facility features a desensitization room for patients experiencing anxiety, specialized equipment that allows individuals with physical disabilities to receive care without leaving their wheelchairs, and wider hallways to ensure safe and accessible movement throughout the clinic. Currently, the clinic serves up to 28 patients per day, with future plans to introduce virtual visits for those unable to travel in person. It’s encouraging to see a dental practice committed to creating a safe and accommodating space for people with disabilities. Unfortunately, such inclusive clinics remain rare. Personally, I’ve always disliked going to the dentist—the loud noises, bright lights, needles, and overall invasiveness of the experience make it something I avoid whenever possible. While I can tolerate a visit when necessary, I can’t help but wonder ...

 Did you know that for the 4th year, law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp announced that entries are being accepted for the Design the Change competition?   It’s true! The firm invites UK students to design a product that helps make the lives of people with spinal cord injuries easier. The winner will receive £5,000, and the runner-up will receive £2,500. Last year’s Design the Change competition winners included Tom Baker, who created a state-of-the-art wheelchair buggy to help parents with spinal cord injuries safely and efficiently transport their children.   I love that this is a competition. I genuinely appreciate the work that Bolt Burdon Kemp is doing to promote innovation and inclusivity. By encouraging young minds to think creatively about solutions for those with spinal cord injuries, they’re making a real difference in people’s lives and showing how important accessibility is in design. This type of initiative raises awareness and inspires a future generation of e...

The National Autistic Society has released a guide to help raise awareness about menopause for people with autism. The guide explains menopause, how it affects people, the latest research, and tips on managing symptoms. One part of menopause is called perimenopause, which happens before menopause begins. During perimenopause, hormone levels change, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes, mood swings, and trouble sleeping. It’s important to know that both perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause irregular periods, but they are different. Perimenopause is a natural part of aging and comes with symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. PCOS, on the other hand, is a hormonal condition that can cause extra body hair, acne, and problems with weight or fertility, which you don’t usually see with perimenopause. Understanding these differences is important because it affects how each condition is treated. As a woman with autism, I found the guide v...

  Love on the Spectrum U.S. won two Emmy Awards for outstanding casting and directing of a reality program. The docuseries highlights the dating experiences of individuals with autism, offering a rare look at their unique journeys. While some participants, like Abbey and David, find love, others leave without success or experience relationships that don’t last. So why are we still talking about this two months after the Emmys? Because the challenges faced by people with autism in areas like dating are often misunderstood or ignored. Love on the Spectrum U.S. not only shares the personal stories of its participants but also helps foster empathy and understanding, giving viewers a chance to see the importance of representation and inclusivity in media. Does my own dating journey mirror the experiences shown in Love on the Spectrum U.S. ? Not exactly. I was introduced to the concept of dating in junior high, and at the time, I had a very narrow view: meet someone, fall in love...

  Imagine that you are a photographer covering a story. You aren't the story's subject - your only purpose is to zoom in, adjust the settings, and click the button. The subject(s) of the photo are the story - they know what to expect and how to respond given the situation. However, you're not in the picture as the photographer - you're just observing. You aren't asked to be in the photo, let alone be involved in the story, outside of clicking the button. You see the final image, and you publish it online, and when people see it, they comment on the people within the photo and the event that occurred. That is what life is like from my perspective of being on the Autism spectrum - I am on the outside looking into neurotypical life.   Growing up, I didn't have many friends. In elementary school, I went to a Christian school. You would be incorrect if you think a Christian school is different from a public school in terms of how friendships are created. There w...

Times are crazy here at The Voiceless Minority. Over the last month and a half, we have had overwhelming support from both the disabled and the able-bodied community, and today, we continue that momentum.   Today is the beginning of a new era here at The Voiceless Minority. Today, we welcome our newest voice for the voiceless, Michelle Zeman. Michelle is an Autistic Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) living in Winter Springs, FL. She discovered the value of self-advocacy and activism through her career in behavior analysis and her time in Partners in Policymaking (PIP). She's a 2023 PIP Graduate, a FL SAND Fellow, and an advisor to FL SAND's MAGICAL self-advocacy group serving greater Orlando. Michelle is passionate about policy change in behavioral health services and disability training for all community workers. Below is Michelle’s first contribution to the blog. The content has not been altered. It has only been edited for clarity purposes. Thank you for joining the te...