Kevin Healey is a leading autism campaigner, ambassador for the National Autistic Society, radio presenter for SAAS (Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society) and published author. In July, Autism Daily Newscast reported Kevin’s concerns regarding the twitter ‘report abuse’ button and his national campaign to put laws in place to protect and safeguard autistic individuals from online hate crime.
The campaign has now grown in strength and has gained worldwide support. Tragically Mr Healey still remains the victim of online abuse and in August he made the decision to suspend his account for three days while twitter investigated abusive tweets made from an impersonation account. Mr Healey at the time issued a statement via his anti –bullying website.
“I’m so sorry at this present time. I feel that I’m unable to use twitter in a safe environment”
Mr Healey also stated on his website:
“For far too long now, adults on the spectrum have been targeted by bullies. I am a victim of bullying, from a child to a teenager, to now a grown adult at 38. Cyber bullying now has got so severe I’ve even had death threats. We need to change the law on bullying internationally, whether it’s bullying in the workplace, university or online. Help me to make the changes today globally, and support my global campaign to tackle this. I need celeb supporters to back me in my global campaign. We need laws changing nationally and internationally.”
There are many new developments happening within the campaign. In November, Mr Healey will be taking part in a Question Time panel session at Portcullis House in London, organised by UK based charity Dimensions The event will include discussion and opinions from disabled members of the community.
In January, Mr Healey will be speaking in Parliament about hate crime issues on behalf of the National Autistic Society.
At present Mr Healey is raising money for SAAS in order to fund an Anti-Autism Bullying Documentary. £1,200 is needed to make the documentary and so far £763.63 has been raised. The documentary will feature celebrities who are backing the campaign as well as Adults on the autistic spectrum and parents who care for an autistic child. Gift Aid can also be used when giving a donation and this will increase the total raised.
Speaking exclusively to Autism Daily Newscast, Mr Healey voiced that:
“the awareness anti bullying video is so important as it will highlight how people with autism get bullied and what impact and effect it has on them, also celebrity’s parents will feature in the full length documentary which will go on a social media platform for people to watch and share so that we can spread the message of my campaign and to raise awareness of the current hate crime laws and what needs to change for the future to protect autistic people’ends.”
Many campaign supporters have already shared their bullying story via the Autism Anti-Bullying Campaign website.
To keep up to date with the campaign you can follow Kevin Healey on twitter and Facebook .