Katie Dolan

I want to dedicate this post to remembering a pioneer in the quest to gain acceptance and educational opportunities for autistic people: Katie Dolan. She lived in Seattle, raising an autistic son, and was appalled that he was rejected from the public school system for his difference. Thus began a political campaign-- something not especially suited to her character-- that resulted in progressive laws recognizing the rights of autistic people.

Katie Dolan also founded the Autism Society of Washington, and is featured in a book by Susan Schwartzenberg called Becoming Citizens: Family Life and the Politics of Disability.

She passed away this weekend of heart failure.