Social Network Blackout to Raise Money for Autism

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An article posted on disabilityscoop.com:

Social Network Blackout To Raise Money For Autism

By Shaun Heasley

October 11, 2010

Facebook and Twitter will be awfully quiet come Nov. 1 if a slew of autism advocacy groups have their way.

Advocates around the globe are pushing for a one day “communication shutdown” in an effort to create awareness and raise funds for autism organizations in more than 40 countries.

Since socialization is often one of the most difficult aspects of life for individuals with autism, organizers are asking participants to stop using social networks in an effort to understand what having autism is like.

“I can remember the frustration of not being able to talk. I knew what I wanted to say, but I could not get the words out, so I would just scream,” said Temple Grandin, a prominent self-advocate. “People will have some idea of what this feels like when they take part in Communication Shutdown.”

Participants in the social networking blackout will download an application, which will post a message to their Facebook and Twitter pages indicating that they are not using the websites on Nov. 1 in solidarity with those who have autism. Proceeds from the $5 app will benefit autism awareness groups worldwide, organizers say.

In the United States, the HollyRod Foundation, the Autism Society of Colorado and Giant Steps Illinois will be the main recipients of funding. Additional money will be placed in a trust so that grants can be issued to other community-based organizations.

I've already signed up for this, and if others do so early then it will give others more advance notice so they can join in too.

This is a terrible idea and I'm sick of explaining why.

Good intentions, bad PR. Meh, it beats bedlum.

I don't think that it's a good idea for Facebook and Twitter to shut down for a day to support autism. As a guy diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, I would be annoyed if I could not use social media. Why punish those with autistic spectrum disorders? We use Twitter and Facebook too. I'm sure there's a better way to spread awareness about autism, such as a special television show on the topic airing on ABC or NBC.

I will be hacked if they turn FB off. That's my AS social skills therapy.

Yeah, people with autism communicate better through social networking. But FB will not be shutdown. People have a choice to stay logged off.

I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I would prefer a 'give your job to an autistic day.'

The internet's the only place I actually have friends and acceptance, I ain't just gonna stop using it.

It is a choice for people to not use fb or twitter. I won't be. Can put the time to good use studying for my exams.

https://communicationshutdown.org/?view=home

Reading the title I thought Facebook and Twitter was actually going to shutdown for a day and was thinking it was a really bad idea which will earn autism more hate than anything. But after reading on its only voluntary which is much better and cant see anything wrong with it.

i think it is a nice and noble idea. However, I dont think it is going to give the average person an idea about what it is like to be autistic. I think it will give them an idea of what it is like to not log into their favourite websites for a day.

If they want to know what it is like to be autistic, perhaps they should hold a Special Interest day, where people engage in their favourite interests.