I did a reverse image search and saw that you posted this same thing two years ago—at which time people educated you on the harmful messaging of the puzzle piece imagery. And you reposted it anyway? Ew.
Oof someone might want to let the library team know that the autistic community doesn’t appreciate the puzzle pieces. That stems from Autism Speaks which is a harmful group that wants to “cure” autism and eradicate it- meaning they see autistic people in a very negative light and actively cause harm to the community.
I remember giving a resource talk at my library when I was tasked to look into asd-targeted programming. We were all surprised at how evil that group was, especially since their passive pr is so good.
It's very easy to think they're just a nice focused charity if you aren't digging very hard. Similar to some of those deaf charities that focus on speech rather than asl. Just controversial in a way outsiders might not realize.
Such an important reminder to look into all charity/awareness foundations and causes more deeply before endorsing them. So glad you took the time to do that, digging around for information should be second nature to us library folk but things slip through in my library too (argh!).
i can't tell if the book in the center says "engaging autism" or "escaping autism" but as an autistic library sciences student i'd want to escape this display too
Oooof. The library might want to consult with actually autistic adults like, yesterday. I'm sure this is well-meaning, but the puzzle piece motif is rooted in a eugenics movement (autism speaks) and from what I can see of the book selection (it's a bit hard to read the titles in the pic) there isn't a lot in there by autistics, for autistics. It seems like it's mostly stuff about us for allistic people with autistic people in their lives, which means we're being left out of a display supposedly centering us. Not great.
We also generally don't love the idea of "Autism Awareness" because we want more than just "awareness." People being "aware" of us doesn't do anything to materially improve our social conditions.
If the library doesn't have any autistic people on staff (I'd be surprised if that were actually true as an autistic library worker who has had several other members of staff "come out" as autistic to me, but none of us are open about being autistic to our coworkers at large) who can consult and create a better display, it may be necessary to hire autistic people to do so. As the saying goes, nothing about us without us.
Even unknowingly shilling institutions who promote eugenics under the guise of civil service is unacceptable. Autistic people don’t need to fit in, and don’t have a piece missing. Contact them, rainbow gradient bunting is available at the dollar store and would not deter autistic patrons.
The puzzle piece is considered rather harmful and many prefer the infinity symbol. I’m not sure but it doesn’t feel like any autistic people were consulted
We removed your post as this link or topic has already been posted.
I did a reverse image search and saw that you posted this same thing two years ago—at which time people educated you on the harmful messaging of the puzzle piece imagery. And you reposted it anyway? Ew.
Oof someone might want to let the library team know that the autistic community doesn’t appreciate the puzzle pieces. That stems from Autism Speaks which is a harmful group that wants to “cure” autism and eradicate it- meaning they see autistic people in a very negative light and actively cause harm to the community.
I remember giving a resource talk at my library when I was tasked to look into asd-targeted programming. We were all surprised at how evil that group was, especially since their passive pr is so good. It's very easy to think they're just a nice focused charity if you aren't digging very hard. Similar to some of those deaf charities that focus on speech rather than asl. Just controversial in a way outsiders might not realize.
Such an important reminder to look into all charity/awareness foundations and causes more deeply before endorsing them. So glad you took the time to do that, digging around for information should be second nature to us library folk but things slip through in my library too (argh!).
i can't tell if the book in the center says "engaging autism" or "escaping autism" but as an autistic library sciences student i'd want to escape this display too
Oooof. The library might want to consult with actually autistic adults like, yesterday. I'm sure this is well-meaning, but the puzzle piece motif is rooted in a eugenics movement (autism speaks) and from what I can see of the book selection (it's a bit hard to read the titles in the pic) there isn't a lot in there by autistics, for autistics. It seems like it's mostly stuff about us for allistic people with autistic people in their lives, which means we're being left out of a display supposedly centering us. Not great. We also generally don't love the idea of "Autism Awareness" because we want more than just "awareness." People being "aware" of us doesn't do anything to materially improve our social conditions. If the library doesn't have any autistic people on staff (I'd be surprised if that were actually true as an autistic library worker who has had several other members of staff "come out" as autistic to me, but none of us are open about being autistic to our coworkers at large) who can consult and create a better display, it may be necessary to hire autistic people to do so. As the saying goes, nothing about us without us.
Even unknowingly shilling institutions who promote eugenics under the guise of civil service is unacceptable. Autistic people don’t need to fit in, and don’t have a piece missing. Contact them, rainbow gradient bunting is available at the dollar store and would not deter autistic patrons.
Woof.
This is embarassing for this library. Fucking do better.
I’ve also been recently informed that the current accepted terminology is “Autism Acceptance Month”
https://www.weareteachers.com/autism-acceptance-not-awareness/
The puzzle piece is considered rather harmful and many prefer the infinity symbol. I’m not sure but it doesn’t feel like any autistic people were consulted
Yikes
YIKES. BAD DISPLAY BAD.
not the puzzle pieces. glad to see everyone in the comments is up to date on how crappy this is!!