Autistic Community Fellowship

tAVOHP Autistic Community Fellowship Description

Access the Autistic Community Fellowship application form:

About the Project: The Autistic Lived Experience: Community Curation and Memory Workers Fellowship, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is part of the Autistic Voices Oral History Project (tAVOHP), an initiative launched in 2023 that is dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Autistic people, documenting their perspectives and culture, and aiming to contribute to a broader historical narrative. tAVOHP seeks to expand public understanding of neurodiversity and challenge conventional approaches to oral history.

This grant-funded fellowship program, in collaboration with the Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA), and the Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (AANE), aims to increase accessibility and inclusion in the field of oral history and memory work.

The project includes two fellowship programs:

The Autistic Community Fellowship seeks to build a more representative historical record by centering Autistic narratives and empowering Autistic people to play an active role in capturing and preserving their community’s memory.
The Memory Workers Fellowship trains non-Autistic (allistic) and Autistic professionals working in archives, libraries, and oral history on neuro-affirming practices, cross-neurotype communication, and Autistic culture.

Twelve people will be selected for each Fellowship Program, for a total of 24 fellows across both programs.

About the Autistic Community Fellowship: The Autistic Community Fellowship is an opportunity for Autistic people with an interest in history, storytelling, and advocacy to gain skills in oral history and memory work. Fellows will be trained in conducting interviews that reflect the unique communication styles, processing methods, and lived experiences of the Autistic community. Fellows will use these skills to conduct interviews with other Autistic individuals, contributing to tAVOHP’s growing archive of Autistic voices.

The fellowship prioritizes applicants whose Autistic identity intersects with other marginalized or underrepresented identities, including but not limited to people of color, non-speaking Autistic people, LGBTQIA+ Autistics, Autistic elders, Autistic people with co-occurring disabilities or conditions, unemployed or underemployed Autistic people, and Autistic parents or caregivers. Fellows will be responsible for conducting oral history interviews and ensuring that the stories collected represent the diversity of the Autistic community.

Please note: fellows must be at least 18 years old and must be a citizen of the United States or legally authorized to work in the U.S. with the intention of continuing work in the U.S.

Access the Autistic Community Fellowship application form: https://forms.gle/FLU6Dma91RB551PP6

Commitments of Fellows:

Participate in the Autistic Community Oral History Workshop in March 2025, where you will receive training in oral history methodologies tailored to Autistic communication styles.
Conduct two oral history interviews with other members of the Autistic community between March 2025 and July 2025, focusing on collecting and preserving diverse lived experiences.
Submit completed interviews, biographical forms, and release forms to tAVOHP for archiving and dissemination by August 15, 2025.
Engage with other fellows and tAVOHP staff through scheduled group meetings, office hours, and online forums to share experiences and seek support.
Attend an online wrap-up event in September 2025 to discuss experiences, provide feedback, and connect with other participants.

Desired Qualifications:

We are seeking fellows who:

Identify as Autistic and have a passion for storytelling, history, or Autistic advocacy.
Have an interest in preserving Autistic narratives and contributing to a more inclusive historical record.
Are part of other marginalized communities whose experiences are underrepresented in dominant narratives about autism.
Have a desire to learn about oral history practices and actively engage in memory work within the Autistic community.
Are able to commit to the fellowship requirements, including conducting two interviews and participating in group activities.
Are passionate about learning new skills.

Application Evaluation:

A total of 12 Autistic Community Fellows will be selected. Applications will be evaluated by a team of 7 project advisors.

How You Will Be Supported:

As a fellow, you will receive training and ongoing support from tAVOHP staff and partners, including:

Participation in the Autistic Community Oral History Workshop, which covers Autistically-informed interviewing techniques and best practices.
Access to regular office hours, group meetings, and a dedicated Slack channel to seek guidance and share experiences with other fellows.
Direct support from tAVOHP staff in recruiting interviewees and conducting interviews in a safe, comfortable, and neuro-affirming environment.
Access to interview tools, templates, and resources to ensure successful completion of the project deliverables.
Support and accommodations customized to your unique needs.

Compensation:

Each Autistic Community Fellow will receive a total compensation of $3,000 over 3 payments, including a first payment of $1,000 upon execution of your fellowship contract, a second payment of $1,000 upon completion of the workshop, and a third payment of $1,000 upon completion of the two required interviews and submission of all associated materials.

Each interviewee of the Autistic Community Fellows will receive $300 for their contribution to the project.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the fellowship or application process or would like to request accommodations, please email Casey Davis and Sam Fleishman at autisticvoicesproject@gmail.com.

Applications are due by January 31, 2025.

Access the Autistic Community Fellowship application form: https://forms.gle/FLU6Dma91RB551PP6