Places to Explore

American Library Association
The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world and an important educational resource. It's mission is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.” A public library is often the first stop on a parent’s exploration of alternative schooling.

The Brevity Blog
The blog of this widely acclaimed literary journal offers a wealth of information for writers. In one place, you will find a diverse range of craft essays and myriad perspectives that can be particularly helpful when writing about complex, intersecting identities and experiences.

Economic Hardship Reporting Project
The Economic Hardship Reporting Project (EHRP) is an editorially independent nonprofit that supports journalists covering social and economic justice. The EHRP plays a critical role in informing the public as well as legislators about issues affecting working-class Americans, with the goal of improving policies that have historically perpetuated inequality.

The Geena Davis Institute
I admire the work this organization is doing to equalize gender roles in the entertainment industry, promote disability inclusive content, and reduce negative stereotyping in media through improved representation.

Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) coordinates efforts and provides advice to the Secretary of Health and Human Services on issues related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The above link will take you to a list of both private and nonprofit organizations focused on autism advocacy.

Autism advocacy and support is very dependent upon individual needs and perspectives—an organization that one person finds useful may not resonate with another. With that said, I’ve had personal experience with both the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE) and my local chapter of The Arc, both of which I would recommend. In my research for Henry’s Classroom, I found several of the studies funded by the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) to be quite useful, and I very much appreciate their holistic approach that includes family impacts and provides teaching resources.

Photo by Amy Mackin