Messages from the Executive Director
Sandy Ho, Executive Director
Disability & Philanthropy Forum
September 1st, 2026
Just last month, the White House issued an Executive Order to direct U.S. Department of Health and Human Services funding towards chasing a vaccine-autism “link” that has been disproven for nearly three decades.
Autistic-led organizations and advocates immediately condemned these actions. Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN)’s statement makes it unwaveringly clear: “while the government spends time trying to prove something that has already been disproven, autistic people are still waiting for the support we actually need.”
We encourage the grantmaking sector to revisit “A Call for Solidarity: Funding Autistic Autonomy,” by s.e. smith, published on our website last year, which took aim at this specific gap: autism funding continues to be cut by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, while available funding continues treating autistic people as a problem to be solved or eliminated, rather than a community with self-determined priorities and civil rights.
Autistic advocates and communities have already long held proven, effective, and community-led solutions for decades. Our democracy is strongest and more resilient only when all perspectives and voices are included in the policies and structures that shape everyone’s well-being and lives.
As funders consider the choices to make at this moment, the Disability & Philanthropy Forum urges grantmakers to put resources in alignment with advocates and communities already implementing effective solutions.
Amid this destruction, a noble idea remains: Autistic lives, like all disabled lives, are worth living and celebrating. Borealis Philanthropy’s “Joy Grants” is a prime example of how to direct funding to autistic joy and autonomy, instead of autistic elimination. Philanthropy should continue funding, expanding, and supporting existing solutions that include three decades of proven ideas backed by scientific data and lived experience. Autistic-led organizations have been saying what they need for years, and it’s way past time for everyone to take notice.
Nothing about us, without us.
Past writings: