Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources
UCLA CART recognizes that racism and bigotry affect us all deeply and the added challenges it brings to the autism community. We are committed to addressing issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. You may find the UCLA CART statement on anti-racism here.
We have compiled up-to-date resources, approved by leading clinicians and designed to help you feel informed and empowered. We will continue to update this list.
UCLA CART Research Studies at Addressing Racial Disparities in Autism
Community Organizations
- Fiesta Educativa
- Healthy African American Families
- Los Angeles Speech and Language Center
- Special Needs Network
- The Achievable Foundation
- The Venice Family Clinic
Working with Law Enforcement related to Autism and Race
- Training/Resources:
- Autism Self-Advocacy Network (ASAN) - Plain-Language Resource on Police Violence
- Child Mind Institute - Racism and Violence: How to Help Kids Handle the News
- World Health Organization - Violence against Adults and Children with Disabilities
General Anti-Racism Resources:
- Center for Organizational Responsibility and Advancement (CORA) - Black Minds Matter webinar series
- National Child and Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) - An array of educational resources on the topic of cultural trauma
Talking to Children about Race:
- All Ages:
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – Resources for talking about race
- 0-5 years old:
- Academia - Article on about how young children learn race
- American Academy of Pediatrics - Article on how to talk to children about race
- Bobbi Keats - We’re Different, We’re the Same (Sesame Street) by Bobbi Kates, illustrated by Joe Mathieu (book)
- CNN and Sesame Street – Video town hall on racism for children and adults
- CLC Collective - Intersection Allies: We Make Room for All by Chelsea Johnson, LaToya Council, and Carolyn Choi (book)
- Grace Byers - I Am Enough by Grace Byers (book)
- Ibram X. Kendi – Antiracist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi (book)
- Matthew A. Cherry – “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry, Illustrated by Vashti Harrison, an animated short film
- 6-12 years old:
- Tony Medina - Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy by Tony Medina and 13 Artists (book)
- Torrey Maldonado - What Lane? by Torrey Maldonado (book)
- 13-18 years old:
- Gene Luen Yang - American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (book)
- Jason Reynolds, Ibram X. Kendi - Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (book)
- Trevor Noah - Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Media Resources:
- Books
- Angela Davis - Women, Race, & Class by Angela Davis
- Darnell Walker - I hate that I have to tell you by Darnell Walker - free e-book version
- Ibram X. Kendi - How to Be an AntiRacist by Ibram X Kendi
- Ijeoma Oluo - So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
- Robin DiAngelo - White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Podcasts
- Autism in Black - Podcast about Autism and the Black parent experience
- YouTube
- Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man
- UCLA BruinX - “implicit Bias | Preface: Biases and Heuristics”
- TEDX Talks - Young, Gifted & Black with Autism with LaChan Hannon
- Kim Riley - Out of the Shadows: Black Families With Autism Speak Out: Amidst the backdrop of unrest following the brutal murder of George FLoyd, families grapple with raising children who are black and have autism. Parents, stakeholders, and allies share perspectives of navigating life in today’s racially-charged times.
Resources for Providers/Academics:
- Academics for Black Survival and Wellness - Personal and Professional trainings and wellness resources
- Minnesota Department of Human Services - Cultural responsiveness in Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, which helps providers increase their understanding of culturally responsive practices when providing services to people with ASD or related conditions
- Resources for Engaging in Anti-Racism Work
- Refinery29 - Your Black Colleagues May Look Like They’re Okay--Chances are They’re Not Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma
- Teaching for Tolerance - Affirming Black Lives Without Inducing Trauma
- Minnesota Department of Human Services - Cultural Responsiveness Training
- Challenges in Autism Experienced by Parents & Professionals Asian Perspective: USC - Diversity toolkit with group activity ideas
Resources for African and Black Americans
- Resources for Black Families related to Autism
- Spectrum News – Article about being Autistic while Black
- The Color of Autism Foundation - African American Autism support
- Resources for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) to Engage in Self-Care
- #ICRace Lab – Toolkit for people of color about surviving and resisting hate
- BlackLine - A 24/7 national crisis support hotline (with a text option as well) provides a space for peer support and counseling, reporting of mistreatment, and affirming the lived experiences to those who are most impacted by systematic oppression. Operated with an LGBTQ+ Black Femme affirming lens.
- Liberate Meditation - Meditation app for the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color community
- Therapy for Black Girls – Guide for starting therapy
- Vice.com - Self-care tips for Black people who are struggling with racial injustice and current events
Resources for Asian, Asian-American, Pacific Islanders, Indian, and Indian-Americans
- Resources for AAPII Families related to Autism:
- ASERT Asian Family Health Workgroup - Parent tips on autism. Resource available in Chinese and English
- Interacting with Autism - A video based resource in Chinese, English, and Spanish
- Resolveera - Videos to support South Asian parents who have a child diagnosed with a developmental disability
- COVID-related stigma and Racism:
- National Association of School Psychologists - Tips on helping children cope with COVID-related stigma and racism from school psychologists
- The May Lee Show – Video about the Coronavirus Crisis and how asians can protect themselves
- The New Yorker – Article about confronting the anti-Asian discrimination during the coronavirus crisis
- Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity, and Race - Resources for AAPI families facing COVID-19-related discrimination
- Stop AAPII Hate - Report a hate incident
- Yin J. Li - Surviving Racism Amidst COVID-19 by Yin J. Li
- AAPII-related Anti-racist resources:
- Anxiety.org - Understanding Racism and Its Related Stress Can Help People of Color Cope with Negative Effects by Asian American Psychology Association’s previous president
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Resources for Asian community on anti-Blackness
- Asian American Racial Justice Toolkit
- Chinese Health Initiative of San Mateo County - Tips to respond to xenophobia
- Define American - Guide to Difficult Conversations about Anti-Blackness
- Dr. Talee Vang – Video about disarming racism from a psychological perspective by Dr. Talee Vang
- Hollaback - Bystander intervention training to stop anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment
- Movement Hub - A centralized platform to amplify on-the-ground activism and organizing by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
- NBC News - How to talk to your Asian immigrant parents about racism
- Parents are Human - Card game to promote Asian intergenerational communication and story-telling
Resources for Christians:
- Autism Society - Autism and faith resources
- Tim Tebow Foundation - This organization puts on a prom each year for individuals with disabilities called Night to Shine, which are usually put on through different churches across the U.S and now globally as well.
- Young Life – A Christian ministry for individuals with disabilities across the life span through the Young Life organization, providing faith-based social groups for individuals with disabilities
Resources Related to Foreign-Born Americans
- American Academy of Pediatrics - LA County Immigrant Youth Toolkit
- National Museum of African American History and Culture – Resources for talking About Race
Resources for Jewish Americans:
- ETTA - In-home and community supports for daily living, employment, residential housing, case management, educational services
- Friendship Circle Los Angeles – Organization providing Jewish children who have special needs with a full range of social, recreational, educational and Judiac experiences, parental supports, enrichment for teens
- Keshet – Jewish and LGBTQ resource
- JCAA
- Jewish LA Special Needs Trusts and Services
- OHEL Autism Services - Brooklyn, NY resource
- The Jewish Federation of North America - Support for children with special needs
- The LA Jewish Abilities Center
Resources for Latinx and Latinx-Americans
- Dra. Gabriela Kovats Sánchez - Recursos antirracistas en español
- National Alliance on Mental Illness - Article on identity, culture, barriers to mental health care, how to seek culturally and linguistically competent care for Latinx community
Resources Related to Poverty and Economic Disadvantage:
- Resources for Economically Disadvantaged Families:
- Ketchum-Downtown YMCA - Free showers and restrooms for all who need. Address: 401 S. Hope Street; Los Angeles, CA 90071. Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Hill City Church - Hill City Church Outreach Ministry provides free food drive up distribution. Every Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hill City Church Headquarters. 550 W. Manville St. Compton, CA. Email hillcitychurchla@gmail.com with questions.
- LA County Library - Free K-12 Homework Help and Tutoring from a live, online tutor
- LA County - COVID-19 Rent Relief
- Los Angeles Harbor College – List of food banks
- Westside Regional Center – Offers trainings and events, including understanding and navigating IHSS programs
- Medical Resources:
Resources for White Parents to Raise Anti-Racist Children
- Diversity-positive books (not ASD-specific)
- NPR - “How White Parents Can Talk to Their Kids About Race”
- Resource list of books, articles, videos, podcasts, etc. about talking to your child about race