Spectrum at Cal Fall 2020 Special

For any spectrum event, if you are non-Berkeley student and want to attend, please email spectrumatCal@gmail.com for a link.

Acceptance Week Events - Nov 2020

Autism Policy Panel

Sam Crane from ASAN and Kim Musheno from the Autism Society of America

joined us to discuss Autism Policy.

Recording at

https://youtu.be/RpRYUcruTm8

Research Panel

Three Berkeley Professors, Steve Hinshaw (Psychology), Laura Sterphoni (Education) and Feldman (MCB) share their research in the field of autism.

The Acceptance Committee of SpectumAtCal at work planning upcoming events

Log Kya Kahenge: Abelism in the South Asian Community

The event is a collaborative effort between three student groups on the UC Berkeley Campus. the ASUC Disabled Students Union, Spectrum At Cal and the ASUC Senator Ruchi Shah’s office

Even Recording https://youtu.be/ClM3urKLpko

Career Panel 10/29/20

An informative and educational Career Panel from working professionals on the spectrum💻🤩

Black Autistic Lives Matter 10/10/20

Oct 10. 2020

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Vocab & Gender 10/23/20

Our virtual meeting exploring vocabulary and gender on the autism spectrum!

In this meeting you'll get an introduction into important vocabulary to help you understand people on the spectrum. This includes conceptual frameworks, as well as language to consider when interacting with other's who are autistic. Lastly, get informed about how gender is an important dimension of autism and learn how there may be some gender differences

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Peer-to-Peer Program

Spectrum At Cal is collaborating with WeEmbrace to launch the Peer-Peer Program at Cal.

Intern@Spectrum Opportunity

Spectrum Board is looking for 2 Interns For Marketing and for Community Outreach Teams

Join Spectrum At Cal

Come for our first general Meeting

Board Meeting 9/19/20

Our First Board Meeting today

9/6/2020

It was great meeting with the team, but was nostalgic for the last year's ambience

As we planned the events and activities for the fall sem.

Word Cloud from today's team building Exercise

What does Autism mean to you?

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Virtual Calpalooza

9/2/2020

Come, meet and chat with us.

Informational chat for students to get to know the org.

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Mental Health Week

An event kicked off even before the semester began. Spectrum At Cal presented on 2 different occasions.

Why Autistics Belong and How to be Ally to Neurodivergents

Transitions to Adulthood Panel - ASAN 2020 Gala

I learned a lot from the others on the Panel and from the audience comments.
Thank you.

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

, fellow panelists

Jordyn Zimmerman

and audience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2klBB1Tow4A&fbclid=IwAR2XIoXysvRB-Y-uux8JWzfvJjzUVGodcc2aIxvvgrl8Waj6jibOtOdkEv8

ACI Experiences

Log Kya Kahenge - Abelism in the South Asian Community

The event is a collaborative effort between three student groups on the UC Berkeley Campus. the ASUC Disabled Students Union, Spectrum At Cal and the ASUC Senator Ruchi Shah’s office

Even Recording https://youtu.be/ClM3urKLpko

"Disability. Even saying this word is stigmatized in South Asian culture. Saying you have a disability in desi culture automatically invites pity instead of empathy, advice without knowledge, and judgement without listening. The “log kya kahenge” mentality silences, isolates, and discourages people with disabilities. With ~15% of the global population identifying as having a disability, a large percentage being people of color, it is astonishing that disabled narrative, rights, and justice are often put on the back burner by governments and society alike.

While addressing disability justice issues is a long ongoing battle, as South Asians we can begin by finally addressing the ableism in our own community and learn how to foster a more inclusive environment for all. Join ASUC Senator Shah’s office, the ASUC Disabled Student’s Commission, and Spectrum at Cal for an educational and empowering discussion featuring South Asian disability and inclusion activists at Cal, from New York, and abroad! It’s time to move past this era of fear and “log kya kahenge” and embrace the diversity that makes our community so beautiful."

Why I vote

https://youtu.be/w7bypgJjcPI

Vote Because you Can, Vote because you Should

https://www.neuronav.org/post/vote-because-you-can-vote-because-you-should

A Personal Reflection for the NeuroNav Oct Newsletter

My other Articles in this newsletter

https://www.neuronav.org/post/the-future-of-a-tall-very-berry-hibiscus

https://www.neuronav.org/post/neuronav-awarded-contract-from-sarc-s-self-determination-advisory-committee

Born into the ADA

I wrote 3 of the articles for the Daily Californian's Disability Impact Issue for the 30th Anniversary of the ADA. This article was a personal reflection.

“(ADA) also allows me to not just demand a seat at the table so that individuals like me can be part of the conversations around change, but question if the table itself needs to be redefined.”

The Daily Cal's Disability Impact Special Issue

The Daily Cal came out with A Disability Impact Special (23 articles). A tribute to 30 Years of ADA.

I have been pushing for such an issue for a few months now. I was able to give input on what the front art cover should look like. Its black and white images of the disability rights movement overlaid with the modern face of disability in color; color in more ways that one - different races, different disabilities, visible and invisible disabilities.

Check it out https://www.dailycal.org/section/special/30-years-of-ada-2020/

This is our Campus too - Disability in Higher Ed

https://www.dailycal.org/2020/10/23/disability-higher-education/

Speaker and Panelist at Stanford Neurodiversity Summit

I was a speaker and Panelist at this year's Stanford Neurodiversity Summit.
College Track Session on Oct 20, 2020

https://youtu.be/Jhbpz3Idqhs
Talk ("Hari As Possibility") is from 1:48:38 - 2:05:33
Panel Discussion 2:47:33 - 3:40:27

Link to my Powerpoint is at https://youtu.be/usyoXWV73QA

program https://med.stanford.edu/neurodiversity/ncw.html

All days are on youtube

Autism DeCal Fall2020

Class 5: 10/5/2020

Today we covered common therapies used in Autism.

Our Guest speaker was Dr Lawrence Fung who heads the Stanford Neurodiversity Project

Class 4: 9/28/2020

Today we covered common therapies used in Autism.

Our Guest speaker was Noor Pervez from ASAN to speak on intersectionality.

Class 3: 9/21/2020

Today we wrapped up our "Law Enforcement" Topic and covered "Autism in the Context of the Disability Rights Movement."

Our guest speaker was Prof Steve Hinshaw with another powerful talk on Stigma.

Class 2: 9/14/2020

In today's Mini Lecture portion, we focused on Autism interaction with Law Enforcement

To prep students, we asked the question

We will be wrapping up this topic in the next class as we got ready for the Student Presentations and the Guest Speaker.

We had our first Guest Speaker on - Dr Clarissa Kripke on Sensorimotor Issues in Autism. Some tech difficulties as our speaker was not able to access our Zoom. So switched to Google Hangouts!!

Survey Q: What interests you about this class

A friend of mine works with kids with autism and I would like to educate myself more on this topic so that I can be more well versed in this subject area when i talk to them. I would like to learn about pretty much anything y'all find most important, I'm just a dude trying to learn as much as possible.
It is interesting to learn about the spectrum of autism and how individuals cope with certain levels of the spectrum.
I am interested in learning more about adults with autism and the kind of support needed and barriers experienced later on in life. I also know a little about who women and girls are less likely to be diagnosed with autism until later on in life due to the way ASD is gendered, but I am curious to learn more about that.
I hope to build my awareness and knowledge of autism so that I can better understand and be an ally to those around me. I feel that autism is often stigmatized as a disability, and I want to learn more about how we can combat this thinking. I want to learn what symptoms and behaviors are associated with autism.
- I am interested on how I can be more cognizant of those on the spectrum. Additionally, as an intended disability studies minor, I want to learn more about personal stories by listening to guest speakers etc.
I am very interested in taking this course because of my interest in better understanding disabilities on many levels. I am aiming to pursue a career in disability research but believe heavily in the importance of understanding disabilities on a personal / social level before having the right to study them on a molecular / neurological level.
As being on the spectrum, I want to learn more about the condition and maybe provide some insight into the daily life of an autistic person.
I want to learn more about the autism spectrum, and what it looks like to proactively involved.
more information about life with autism and advantages or disadvantages
As a Psychology major, I find that I haven't actually learned much about autism in my classes, although I've learned about mood disorders, intellectual disabilities, and learning disorders. So, I'd like to learn more about the realities of autism and treatment options available.
I would like to get a more holistic view about autism from different disciplines as well as hear from the guest speakers!
why they have tendency too hyperfixate. how to navigate social situations with them.
I've seen autism depicted in media, and am curious to see if their depictions are accurate, and i just want to understand and be able to empathize more with people who do have autism.
I've always wanted to take a class focused on Autism, and I came to know of this class through Obama's Instagram ;) I would like to learn more about Autism through the perspective of someone with Autism. I also would like to learn more about the biological basis behind autism. Overall, I am most excited to meet more people and hear everyone's various experiences.
Just want to gain some general understanding about Autism to be able to broaden my sensitivity to and understanding of the needs of neurodiverse people :)
I'd like to hear about what it's like to be autistic from someone who has autism and how to be a helpful ally.
I am pursuing the disability studies minor and would like to educate myself more around the topic of disability. I think this will be a great way to know more about autism as we are taught very little about it in school.
I would like to meet other people on the spectrum, hear there stories / experience and have a safe place to share my own.
I'm interested in this course because I've learned a couple of things about the autism spectrum from my child development and psychology classes, but not a significant amount, and I guess I've just realized recently that I'm relatively ignorant on the subject. I'd like to change that. I don't have anything specific in mind to learn more about but I'm very excited to learn more!
I would love to learn more about autism alongside disability justice. I took a city planning for disability course a while back and it was very valuable and I learned a lot!
I would like to educate myself about people with autism. I took a course with professor Hinshaw and it was really interesting and I would like to learn more about Autism.
I joined this class because I have a family member who was recently diagnosed and I wanted to learn as much as I could about Autism Spectrum Disorder so that I could support that family member. I'm interested in learning about family dynamics and learn more about the current research on ASD.
I would like to better understand autism and learn how I can positively impact the community.
I have a twin brother who was diagnosed with ASD in the 5th grade. From this course I want to learn more about ASD in hopes to better understand my brother. My brother is considered "high functioning", so I'm really curious how doctors diagnose someone with Autism and how they decide if they're low/high functioning. My brother has also struggled with IEP accommodations growing up, so I would like to know how disability programs work at public schools and how schools decide if a student qualifies for IEP/DSP accommodations.
I study neurodevelopment with relevance to ASD. I would like to learn more about ASD from perspectives beyond my research area, particularly disability rights/advocacy and intersectionality. I am hoping to have a better understanding of how I as a researcher can interact with the autism community in a positive way that doesn’t cause harm. I’m hoping this class will give me the space to think about ways to center the interests and needs of folks with autism in my research and beyond.
Really excited for this class
It’s felt like talking about autism was taboo, but I really want to understand what the experience is and how to support folks who may have autism.
Excited about the reading list you put together.

Class 1: 9/31/2020

A little weird doing this all remote but we adapt for the times. Also have a grad student auditing the class which is kind of cool.

Registration for the DeCal

Registration for the 1-unit, seminar-style, 1:54 Autism Spectrum Disorders Decal is now open. Class has filled up very fast in past semesters.

https://classes.berkeley.edu/content/2020-fall-psych-198-006-grp-006

Course #23457 Enroll through CalCentral

Timings: Monday 5-7pm.

Class Starts: Aug 31, 2020

Class limit: 40

Contact: SpectrumDeCal@gmail.com

The Autism DeCal got featured on President Barack Obama's Instagram in July on 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDKTNl7gtZD/ (2nd story)

About the Decal: In this DeCal, not only will you learn about possible neurobiological roots of ASD, you will also discover its research beginnings, possible intervention therapies, family dynamics, law, the role of technology, media portrayals, child and adult life, stigma, public outreach, and public awareness.

The primary goal of this course is to stimulate and encourage a deeper understanding about individuals who meet the DSM-5 criteria for ASD and their families.

Instructors: Hari Srinivasan, Eli Oh, Helen Lee, Kate Bierly

Campus walk

Campus Walk

Serenity

The RadMad Disability Lab at UC Berkeley

Lab Website, Facebook . Twitter@RadMadLab1

The Spring 2020 URAP Team

Semester 4

Semester 3

Week 1: 9/16: : First Lab meeting for the incoming URAP' ers. We had a sizable turnout, not just students from Cal but also from UCLA. I love the collaboration.

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Semester 2

Week 1: 2/5: Rad Mad Lab is Back: First Lab meeting for the incoming URAP' ers.

Good to be back at this very unique "makerspace" lab at UC Berkeley

2/12: The meeting focused on projects for the semester and deciding the teams. http://disability.jp/madlab/2020/02/12/deciding-on-projects/

Holding a Raspberry Pi

Rad Mad Lab in the Time of Covid.

What the Rad Mad Disability lab has done this semester can almost be split into what had was started and planned at the beginning of the semester and what the teams have been able to do to the limitations of the shutdown.. Read on.

http://disability.jp/madlab/2020/05/05/rad-mad-in-the-time-of-covid/

Light Sensitivity

Light Sensitivity is an another important, albeit less talked about accessibility issue. This is another project started by the Rad Mad Lab this semester. Read on..

http://disability.jp/madlab/2020/05/05/light/

Sense-Able Computing

Team Sense-Able Computing of the Rad Mad Lab continued the groundwork laid by Teams "Sense-Able Input P3" and "Sense-Able Output Apple Pi" from last semester.

They aim to build a coding environment that expands beyond the the monitor and keyboard.

http://disability.jp/madlab/2020/05/05/senseable/

Radical Mapping

Team Radical Mapping of our lab is working towards an embodied navigation system on and off campus. They also just received funding from the campus administration to continue the project.

http://disability.jp/madlab/2020/05/05/rm/

We will be back in Fall.

Prof Karen Nakamura and all the students here at the RadMad Lab wish everyone a safe summer. Stay healthy everyone. We will be back in fall.

http://disability.jp/madlab/2020/05/05/fall/

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Semester 1 @ RadMad Lab

I started as a URAPer at the UC Berkeley Disability Lab, also known as the RadMad Lab

(URAP = Undergrad Research Apprentice Program)

I think my role at the Lab this semester is best summed up by Prof Nakamura who heads the lab:

"Hari is the newest student member of the lab. He’s a proud autistic activist and student leader on campus. While he comes out of a deep personal experience with autism, he isn’t familiar with other disability spaces — and as a current and future disability leader, he needs that experience. He’s heading up what we’re faking Team Propaganda - which is to help broaden the public reach of the lab, especially to crip communities."

The Fall 2019 URAP Team

Personal Reflection: A nonspeaking autistic at the RadMad Disability Lab

http://disability.jp/madlab/2019/12/12/nonspeaking-autistic/

More posts on the Lab's work this semester by me

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The RadMad Disability Lab at UC Berkeley

The Nakamura Disability Lab is one of UC Berkeley’s well-kept secrets tucked away inside one end of the Hearst Annex complex. With its mission of "Making Better Crips," the lab has been operational since 2018 and led by Karen Nakamura who is the Haas endowed chair for Disability Studies and Professor of Anthropology. (more...)

On Power wheelchairs by Corbett O'Toole

Power Wheelchairs are meant to be mobility devices, but counter-intuitively not manufactured for outdoor use.

Community Guest speaker and visitor to the Disability makerspace lab, Corbett OToole was interviewed on some of the challenges that wheelchair users have to contend with. (more...)

When Thumbless Meets Gaming

Most, if not all mainstream gaming controllers assume and require the use of opposable thumbs and a lot of manual dexterity. Commercial controllers are high cost. The goal for " Team Thumbless" at the RadMad Disability Lab at UC Berkeley was to make an accessible and affordable controller using Arduinos, open-source software and low-cost everyday supplies. (more..)

Gena: Models for Inclusive Special Ed

People who are blind or low vision are often excluded from sex education. If they are mainstreamed, health classes rarely have accessible models or diagrams. And even at schools for the blind, teachers don’t always have access to tactile models (which can be very expensive) and must jerry-rig something themselves. (more...)

Free Beeps Project

A wheelchair user often cannot see what is behind them – so they end up hitting walls, doors and sometimes even other people which can be very frustrating. The Free Beep is essentially a backup sensor for power chairs, scooters, etc.(more...)

A Pooch Ramp

Lab members set out to provide solutions to a disabled dog in the community. (more...)

Sense-Able Computing: A Overview

Traditional STEM and Design Tools are simply inaccessible as most assume or even require the ability to use the screen, keyboard and mouse. As a result, many people with disabilities are dissuaded from going into the STEM fields and potentially making valuable contributions. When such a huge field is cut off, disabled people are essentially disempowered from feeling that they too can change the world.

Thus, a major goal for the Lab has been what Prof Karan Nakamura has termed "Sense-Able Computing" or creating a multisensory, tactile, screenless, Turing-complete programming environment. The target audience would be learners who want to change the world but find keyboard/mouse/screen programming environments inaccessible.(more...)

Sense-Able Computing: Input Team

The input team of Sense-Able Computing focused on prototyping a tactile input coding language to help the user learn the basics of coding.(more...)

Sense-Able Computing: Output Team

Team Apple Pi (output arm of “Sense-able Computing”)is trying to make a programmable robot prototype a reality -which would not only move but also have a sensor that would work with the programming language of the input team.(more...)

A non-speaking Autistic at the Disability Lab: A Personal Reflection. (more...)