Are you an autistic student at Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) passionate about making our campus more inclusive for everyone? Do you want to develop your leadership skills and connect with a like-minded community?
Apply for the 2025 Autism Campus Inclusion (ACI) Leadership Academy!
This unique program empowers autistic students to become effective advocates for disability rights on their college campuses. The program runs from July 14th to July 20th, 2025.
What You Will Learn
During the Academy, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Developmental Disability Policy
- SMART Goals and Action Plans
- Meetings and Facilitation
- Building Your Student Group
- Building Relationships and Campaigns Using Intersectionality
- Strategic Relationship-Building
- Campaign Strategies
- ASAN Policy Goals
- Sharing Your Story For a Political Purpose
- Effective Debunking
After the Academy
Upon completion of the program, you will receive ongoing support from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) to help you achieve your advocacy goals at your college.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the ACI Leadership Academy, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be autistic (self-diagnosis is accepted)
- Be a student at a college or university with at least one year left before graduation (this includes students in TPSID programs, 2-year community colleges, 4-year colleges, and graduate school)
- Live in the United States, Canada, or Mexico (citizenship is not required.
How to Apply:
- Download the application form as a PDF or Word document. Please email your completed application to Dean Strauss at DStrauss@AutisticAdvocacy.org by midnight on Sunday, March 9th, 2025.
- We especially encourage applications from DCTC students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students from marginalized communities.
- Make your voice heard and become a leader for disability inclusion at DCTC! Apply for the ACI Leadership Academy today!
Contact Information
If you have any questions about the ACI Leadership Academy, please contact Dean Strauss at DStrauss@AutisticAdvocacy.org
Learn more about the transformative ACI Leadership Academy by viewing testimonials, a flyer, and a video of past participants’ experiences:
Learn more