Statement from Summit Chair

Statement from Summit Chair:

I am truly honoured and humbled to be chairing the Intersectional Infinity Summit, and am thrilled to be co-learning and co-leading change alongside so many AUsome Summit panelists, presenters, special guests, community partners and of course our committee members. You are all my heros, and I can't thank you enough for your role in making this Summit so groundbreaking.

To our registrants, thank you for dedicating time from your busy lives and careers in order to join together from across the world for this Summit. I am truly confident we are all sure to take with us some new learnings, some new reflections, some new ways of understanding the world and yes, some new action that will contribute positively to the lives of those who are Autistic and/or otherwise Neurodivergent. Beyond that, I hope many of us depart from the Summit, knowing just a little bit more about ourselves, better equipped to question our own biases, and more capable of understanding our roles in making the lives of those most impacted by this work better through acceptance, equitable and accessible communication, and a commitment to anti-ableist practices. I also hope that you will all take with you new connections made, new friendships and allegiances formed, and the seeds of new collaborative partnerships planted!

As the world was beginning to face a global pandemic together two years ago, while also entering a new stage of social consciousness raising on many fronts, there was a growing need for safe and brave spaces for all educators, but particularly those whose invisible realities did not match the projected realities they were having to live in order to "blend in". Stigmatization in Education of Neurodivergent and otherwise disabled folx has always been rampant, and this is compounded when intersectional layers of one's identity have the potential to be further marginalized.

Inequities in Education come at Neurodivergent educators from every angle, as we often live our professional lives "masking" our authentic selves, witnessing daily ongoing microaggressions, and making "choices" that frequently put our sensory and communication needs far behind those of everyone else, not because we want to, but for our own safety at work and in the community, and because society has deemed our neurodifferences as disorders, flaws, incompetencies and deficits. Now imagine then, what toll this must take on our students who don't have the life experiences to help them cope or the privileges that come with adulthood yet?

By establishing the NINE as a global network which works beyond walls and borders, we always seek to effect change that is far-reaching, impacting not only Neurodivergent Educators globally, but also the communities they serve in revolutionary ways. After all, together, in community, we can shift the narrative by reframing and embracing Neurodifferences; this is how we can truly change the world for generations to come!

Importantly, the #IntersectionalInfinity Summit is an opportunity to build greater connections within the Autistic and otherwise Neurodivergent community as we seek common ground, amplify voices whose stories must be told, and co-learn alongside those seeking to be allies on our journey towards Neuro-affirmative, Human Rights based practices in Education and beyond. We are so grateful you are joining us for the Summit, and remind you that your choice to walk through this virtual door is a powerful next step which we hope you will find life-changing. Never before has there been a Summit quite like this, so we do hope you take the opportunity to attend as many of the events as you can in order to learn from Autistics and otherwise Neurodivergent folx with such diverse experiences. Whether you identify as Neurodivergent or Neurotypical, are a parent/carer or a professional, whether you are diagnosed formally, not diagnosed, wondering or certain you are not Neurodivergent, you are welcome here, and we thank you for choosing to take this next step with us as we make history together.

Karen A. Timm @NeurodiversityInPrincipal

Chair, #Intersectional Infinity Summit 2022

Founder, Neurodivergent Infinity Network of Educators @NINE_On_Can