Why Mutual Aid?
Mutual Aid Builds the Autistic and Disabled Community
How collective care and solidarity create resilient networks of support
There's No Community Without Mutual Aid
Mutual aid is the foundation upon which disabled and autistic communities are built. It creates the infrastructure of support that allows people to survive and thrive in a world not designed for them.
Mutual aid networks in the disabled community often operate differently than mainstream mutual aid:
Low-Key & Private
Disabled mutual aid is often small-scale, offline, and invisible by necessity—to protect participants from judgment or loss of benefits.
Creative Solutions
Disabled people develop innovative approaches to meet needs, like pandemic-era outdoor meetups, signal groups, and accessibility hacks.
Long-Term View
Disabled mutual aid recognizes that need is ongoing, not temporary, and plans for sustained support rather than short-term fixes.
Authentic Care
Disabled mutual aid embraces the messy, real aspects of care, including difficult conversations about boundaries and capacity.
"Mutual aid begins wherever two or more people decide to show up for each other."
— A Mind Unstrange
How Mutual Aid Creates Community
Connection
Disabled people connect through shared experiences and needs, creating networks of trust
Resource Sharing
Knowledge, skills, time, and material resources flow through the network based on need
Collective Problem-Solving
Communities develop shared solutions to structural barriers and individual challenges
Cultural Development
Shared values, practices, and norms emerge that center disabled experiences
Impact Beyond the Community
Visibility
Advocacy makes invisible barriers visible to those who don't experience them
Policy Change
Advocacy leads to systemic improvements in policies and practices
Community Building
Through advocacy, isolated individuals connect and form community
Join the Movement
Whether you're autistic, disabled, or an ally, there are many ways to participate in and strengthen mutual aid networks.
Support Existing Networks
Donate time, resources, or funds to mutual aid efforts already happening in your community
Start Something New
Begin a mutual aid effort by connecting with just one other person who shares your needs or experiences
Self-Advocacy Resources
Equip yourself with knowledge and tools to advocate for your needs and rights.
Educational Materials
Access guides, worksheets, and videos about your rights and how to communicate your needs
Communication Templates
Customizable scripts and templates for difficult conversations with employers, healthcare providers, and others
Navigation Support
Step-by-step guides for accessing services, accommodations, and legal protections