About AutSPACEs
-The “Aut” in AutSPACEs refers to Autistic people, and the “SPACEs” is an acronym which refers to exploring - Sensory Processing for Accessible Community Environments. This captures the aim of AutSPACEs which is to make - spaces better for autistic people by learning about sensory processing and its impact.
+About AutSPACEs
++ The ‘Aut’ in AutSPACEs refers to autistic people, and ‘SPACEs’ is an acronym for + ‘sensory processing for accessible community environments’. This captures our aim of making + all kinds of spaces better for autistic people by learning about their sensory processing and its impact. +
-AutSPACEs is made by and for autistic people, researchers, and allies of autistic people, who think that the - world would be a much better place if autistic people had more of a say in how public and private spaces are - used and designed.
++ AutSPACEs is made by and for autistic people, researchers and allies. + We think the world would be much better if autistic people had more say + in how public and private spaces are designed and used. +
-All autistic people are different. We want to collect together lots of stories from autistic people, so that we - can - better understand how sensory processsing differences affect the way autistic people navigate the world around - them. Together, we can use this information to build a better world for autistic people.
++ Because each autistic person is unique, we want to collect as many stories as possible + to improve understanding of how sensory processing affects the way people interact with spaces. + Together, we can use this information to build a more comfortable and inclusive world. +
-There are three main goals:
+Our goals
-
-
- To advise organisations about how they can design and adapt spaces and policies to improve autistic people’s - lives. +
- + Share: To share stories and strategies so autistic people can learn from each other’s experiences. -
- To educate non-autistic people so that they can better support their autistic friends, families, and - colleagues. +
- + Influence: To influence how organisations and policymakers design and + adapt spaces and policies to improve autistic people’s lives. -
- To share autistic people’s stories and tips with other autistic people who have similar experiences, so that - they - can learn from each other +
- + Educate: + To educate non-autistic people so they can better support autistic friends, relatives and colleagues. +
How to use the platform
+How to use AutSPACEs
- This section gives a brief step-by-step overview of how AutSPACEs works. - You can find more information in the participant information and + This section gives a step-by-step overview of how AutSPACEs works. You can find more information in the + participant information and help sections.
1. Register with Open Humans
-When you register you create a private and anonymous account with Open Humans. We work with Open Humans to - make sure you have control over your data and that it is safe.
-Open Humans have been working with The Alan Turing Institute to create AutSPACEs. They are a not-for-profit - organisation designed to help people access and understand their personal data, and to help them do and share - things that use that data. - - You can find out more about Open Humans on their website.
++ When you register you create a private and anonymous account with Open Humans. + We work with Open Humans to make sure you have control over your data and that it’s safe. +
++ The Alan Turing Institute has been working with Open Humans to create AutSPACEs. + It is a not-for-profit organisation designed to help people access and understand their personal data, + and to help them do and share things that use that data. You can find out more about + Open Humans on its website. +
2. Share your story
-Enter a description of how your senses affect you. For example: “I do not go on trains because they are too - loud”.
-3. Choose who can read your story
-You can choose to share your story publicly, so people using AutSPACEs can learn from it, or privately, for - research. You can also share both publicly and with researchers if you prefer.
++ Enter a description of how your senses affect you. + For example: ‘I don’t go on trains because they’re too loud.’ + Say as much or as little as you want. +
+3. Choose who can read it
++ You can choose to share your story publicly, so people using AutSPACEs + can learn from it, or privately, for research. + You can also share both publicly and with researchers. + Or you can opt not to share at all, so only you can view it. +
4. Story is checked
-If you want to make your story public, it will first be checked to make sure it follows our content moderation guidelines. - This is to keep AutSPACEs an autism-first, inclusive and welcoming space for all.
-5. Change your stories any time
-You can view your own stories and edit them, or change who they are shared with any time, even once they are - submitted.
++ If you want to make your story public, it will first be checked to make sure it follows our content guidelines. + This is to keep AutSPACEs an autism-first, inclusive and welcoming space for all. +
+5. Change your story any time
++ You can view your own stories and edit them, or change who they’re shared with any time, + even once they’re submitted. +
Exploring AutSPACEs
-You do not need an account to explore AutSPACEs and read other people’s stories.
+Exploring AutSPACEs
++ You don’t need an account to explore AutSPACEs and read other people’s stories. +
-If you are autistic, you may find other people who have similar sense experiences to you. You can discover tips - and recommendations from them.
++ If you’re autistic, you may find other people who have similar sensory experiences to you. + You can discover tips and recommendations from them. +
-If you are not autistic, you may find ways to better support n empathise with autistic people by learning from - them how their senses affect them.
++ If you’re not autistic, you may find ways to better support and empathise with + autistic people by learning how their senses affect them. +
Data Usage
-We will never sell your data.
+Data usage
++ We will never sell your data. We believe your data should belong to you, so it’s your choice what to do with it. +
We believe that your data should belong to you, so it’s your choice what to do with it.
-If you choose to share your story with researchers, your story will be part of a dataset with other people’s - experiences, and researchers outside the AutSPACEs team will have to apply to look at the dataset for the purposes of making the world better for - autistic people and their families. We will make sure that autistic people are involved in making decisions - about - who can look at the data. We have partnered with Open Humans to make sure your data is kept safe and secure. You - can make this choice by checking the box ‘share with researchers’ when you share a story.
- -If you choose to make your experience public, your experience will first be checked over by a moderator to make - sure - it follows our content moderation guidelines. We will let you know when a moderator has made a - decision about your experience. If they decide it does follow our guidelines, it will be published - anonymously - on this website. Anyone will be able to view your story, but your name will be kept private. You can make this - choice by checking the box ‘share online with everyone’.
- -If you choose not to share your experience you can still view it by going to My Stories.
- -You can also choose to share with your story with researchers and make make your story public. You can do this - by - selecting ‘share with researchers’ and ‘share online with everyone’.
- -You can also change your mind at any time by going to My Stories. and selecting which options you would - prefer.
+Sharing publicly
+ ++ If you choose to make your story public, it will first be checked by a moderator to make sure it follows our + a href="{% url 'main:content_moderation_guidelines' %}">content guidelines. + We will let you know when a moderator has made a decision. +
+ ++ If they decide it does follow our guidelines, it will be published anonymously on this website. + Anyone will be able to view your story, but your name will be kept private. + You can make this choice by checking the box ‘Share publicly on AutSPACEs website’. +
+ ++ If your story doesn’t meet our content guidelines, you’re welcome to change it, + making sure it follows them, and submit it again. +
+ ++ If you choose not to share your experience, you can still view it by going to + My stories. +
+ +Sharing for research
+ + ++ If you choose to share your story for research, it will be part of a dataset with other people’s experiences, + and researchers outside the AutSPACEs team, who want to make the world better for autistic people and their families, + will have to apply to look at the dataset. + You can make this choice by checking the box ‘Allow story to be used for research’ when you add a story. +
++ We will ensure autistic people are involved in making decisions about who can look at the data. + We have partnered with Open Humans so your data is kept safe and secure. +
++ Sharing publicly and for research +
++ You can also choose to make your story public and share it with researchers. + Do this by selecting ‘Share publicly on AutSPACEs website’ and ‘Allow story to be used for research’. +
++ It’s okay to change your mind +
++ You can change your mind at any time by going to My stories and selecting the options you would prefer. +
Terms of Use
-The AutSPACEs software itself is released under an open MIT license. This means that the code is freely available to reuse and modify for any purpose, as long as they credit the AutSPACEs community. Importantly, this does not extend to the data provided by AutSPACEs participants.
-The data we collect for researchers will only be available by application, and researchers must commit to following our values to receive approval. We are currently working on a protocol to implement this.
+Terms of use
++ The AutSPACEs software is released under an open MIT license. + This means the code is freely available to use and modify for any purpose, + as long as the AutSPACEs community is credited. + Importantly, this does not extend to the data provided by AutSPACEs participants. +
++ The data we collect for research will be available by application only, + and researchers must commit to following our values to receive approval. + We are currently working on a protocol to implement this. +
Our Values
-"Nothing About Us Without Us"
-We believe that the people who will be affected most by research should have opportunities to make decisions, set the direction, and be involved in the research process throughout.
+Our values
+"Nothing about us without us"
++ We believe the people who will be affected most by research should have opportunities to + make decisions, set the direction and be involved throughout. +
Allied to autistic people
-We believe that the world needs to work for autistic people so that they can flourish as well as function. We share a mission with our original sponsor Autistica for autistic people have happier, healthier, longer lives. Autism research should fundamentally serve autistic people and improve their lives.
-Your data your choice
-We believe you should have control over how your data is shared and who it is shared with. We will never sell your data
-Our Community
-This project is a collaboration between Autistica and The Alan Turing Institute. Autistica is a UK-based charity whose mission is to help autistic people and their families have long, healthy, happy lives. The Alan Turing Institute is the UK's National Institute for artificial intelligence and data science. We have partnered with Open Humans Foundation, who have helped us implement their data and consent management system for AutSPACEs.
-At the heart of the community are autistic participants, families, carers, volunteers and open source developers. This is an open project, which anyone is invited to contribute to.
++ We believe the world needs to work for autistic people so they can flourish as well as function. + We share a mission with our original funder, Autistica, for autistic people to have happier, healthier, + longer lives. Autism research should serve autistic people and improve their lives. +
+Your data, your choice
++ We believe you should have control over how your data is shared and who it’s shared with. We will never sell your data. +
+Our community
+Our community
++ This project is a collaboration between Autistica and The Alan Turing Institute. + Autistica is a UK-based charity whose mission is to help autistic people and their families + have happy, healthy, long lives. + The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s National Institute for artificial intelligence and data science. +
++ We have partnered with Open Humans Foundation, which has helped us implement its data and consent management system for AutSPACEs. +
++ At the heart of our community are autistic participants, families, carers, volunteers and open source developers. This is an open project, which anyone is invited to contribute to. +
Content Moderation Guidelines
- -The AutSPACEs platform is an online space which puts autistic people first. We are committed to providing a - safe and welcoming place for autistic people and their supporters to share experiences, knowing their voices will - be heard and their contributions recognised.
- -AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers. In - order for the platform to be a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the - community, everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow these content moderation guidelines. Before they are - published all stories will be reviewed by a moderator who will use this document as guidance when making decisions - as to whether a post can be approved or not.
- -These content moderation guidelines exist for clarity and fairness, as well as to ensure the values of AutSPACEs are upheld. - They were co-written by autistic people, the parents and carers of autistic people, and researchers with expertise in - creating inclusive online spaces.
- -The lead investigators of AutSPACEs — Dr. Kirstie Whitaker and Dr. Bastian Greshake Tzovaras — are ultimately responsible for enforcing - the Content Moderation Guidelines and is overseeing the moderation process. They can be contacted by emailing - kwhitaker@turing.ac.uk and bgreshaketzovaras@turing.ac.uk. Reports may be reviewed by other - members of the research team, unless there is a conflict of interest, and will be kept confidential.
- +Content guidelines
+ ++ AutSPACEs is an online space which puts autistic people first. + We’re committed to providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people + and their supporters to share experiences, knowing their voices will be heard and their contributions recognised. +
+ ++ AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers. + To ensure it is a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the community, + everyone who wants to share a story publicly will be required to follow our content guidelines. +
++ Before a story can be published, it will be reviewed by a moderator to check it adheres to them. +
+ ++ These guidelines exist for clarity and fairness, as well as to ensure the values of AutSPACEs are upheld. + They were co-written by autistic people, parents and carers of autistic people, + and researchers with expertise in creating inclusive online spaces. +
+ ++ AutSPACEs’ team leaders, Dr Kirstie Whitaker and Dr Bastian Greshake Tzovaras, + are ultimately responsible for enforcing the content guidelines and overseeing the moderation process. + Concerns can be reported to them by emailing kwhitaker@turing.ac.uk + and bgreshaketzovaras@turing.ac.uk. + These may be reviewed by other members of the team, unless there’s a conflict of interest, and will be kept confidential. +
What the Platform Is (and Isn't) For
- -The primary purpose of the platform is to gather data about sensory processing and navigating environments in - order to make the world more accessible to autistic people. In order for a story to be approved by moderators it - must be relevant to this. This doesn’t mean you can’t write about other things, as long as they relate to sensory - experiences. The data we are collecting is also for a specific demographic: all stories must be about experiences - of someone who is over the age of 18 at the time of posting. Entries about the past before the user was 18 are - permitted. For instance, an 18 year old could post about an experience they had when they were 10, but a 10 - year-old would not be permitted to post.
- -As this is a data collection platform, users will have the option to share their stories with both researchers - and/or the public. Further information about how stories will be used by researchers will be available in the future and announced in our newsletter. - Only stories posted to the public will be moderated, all information below.
- -As much as we would like to be able to help everyone with everything, that is unfortunately out of the scope of - this project. AutSPACEs cannot offer professional support, however, we can link you to appropriate sources if - necessary.
+What and who AutSPACEs is for
+ ++ AutSPACEs’ primary purpose is to gather data about sensory processing and navigating environments, + so it can be used to make the world more accessible to autistic people. +
++ For a story to be approved by moderators it must be relevant to this. + This doesn’t mean you can’t write about other things, as long as they relate to sensory experiences. +
++ The data we’re collecting is also for a specific demographic: stories must be about experiences of someone aged 18 + or over at the time of posting. Stories about the past before the user was 18 are permitted. + For instance, an 18-year-old can post about an experience they had when they were 10, + but a 10-year-old is not permitted to post. To share stories on AutSPACEs, you must be 18 or over. +
+ ++ As this is a data collection platform, users can opt to share their stories publicly and/or with researchers. Further information about how stories will be used by researchers will be available in the future and announced in our newsletter. Only stories posted to be public will be moderated. +
What is considered to be sensory?
+What counts as sensory?
People with autism often have sensory differences. This means their senses may be weaker or stronger than - those who are neurotypical. This is why navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult for people with - autism.
- -There are seven senses:
- ++ Autistic people often have senses that are weaker or stronger than those of non-autistic people. + This is one of the reasons navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult. +
++ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include:
-
-
- Sight -
- Hearing -
- Smell -
- Taste -
- Touch -
- Balance (Vestibular) -
- Body Awareness (Proprioception) +
- The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception; +
- The sense of balance, or equilibrioception; +
- The perception of pain, or nociception; +
- The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception; +
- The sense of time passing, or chromoception.
What Is and Isn't Acceptable to Mention in Stories
+What is and isn't okay to mention
+ ++ AutSPACEs is designed to be a welcoming and safe place for all autistic people to share and read about experiences. + To ensure this, we’ve created Red (unacceptable) and Amber (potentially triggering) list of words and topics. +
+ ++ The Red (unacceptable) category exists to make sure we + don’t publish stories that contravene our values of mutual respect, diversity and inclusion, + or that cause a risk to the person posting or reading the experience. +
+ -AutSPACEs is designed to be a welcoming and safe place for all people with autism to share and read - experiences. In order to ensure this we have created a Red and Amber list of words and topics that may be offensive or triggering to some users.
++ Examples of Red content include direct or indirect attacks on + people for being autistic, referring to autism as a dysfunction, + or using an offensive or prejudicial term to describe someone. +
-The purpose of having the Red category is to make sure we don’t publish - experiences which contravene our values of mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion, or which cause a risk to - the person who posts the experience or others. Examples of content marked Red - would be direct or indirect attacks on people for being autistic, referring to autism as a dysfunction, using an - offensive or prejudicial term to describe someone. Explicitly including someone’s identity or sensitive data is - strictly forbidden, examples of sensitive data are listed below.
++ Explicitly mentioning someone’s identity or + sensitive data is also in the Red category. + This includes: +
-
-
- A person’s first name and/or surname -
- Someone’s contact details including: address, phone number, school, email address or place of work -
- Anything that could distinguish that person from others (e.g. hair colour or skin tone) +
- A person’s first name and/or surname; +
- Contact details such as address, phone number, school, email address or workplace; +
- Anything that could distinguish them from others, such as hair colour or skin tone.
The purpose of having the Amber list is to help users identify posts that - they may find triggering or distressing before they read them, to avoid harm to users of AutSPACEs. While some - people may be sensitive to them, it is important that these experiences are available, and that users are free - to express themselves. Examples of content marked Amber might be an account of - bullying, a traumatic home environment, or descriptions of verbal abuse which a user has experienced.
- -Stories that include Red content will automatically be disapproved. Those - regarded as Amber will be approved but may be labelled as ‘triggering’ when - posted on the platform.
- - ++ The Amber (potentially triggering) list is to help users identify + stories they may find distressing, + so they can choose whether or not to read them. While some people may be sensitive to them, + it’s important these experiences are available and that users are free to express themselves. +
++ Content marked Amber might include an account of bullying, + a traumatic home environment, or descriptions of verbal abuse a user has experienced. +
+Stories that include Red content will not be approved by moderators + so will not be visible to other site users. + Those regarded as Amber + will be approved but may be labelled as ‘triggering’ when posted. +
+ +-
-
- Neurodiversity -
- Gender Identity and/or Expression -
- Sexual Orientation -
- Disability and/or Health -
- Physical Appearance (e.g. skin colour, body size, etc.) -
- Nationality, Citizenship and Ethnic or Social Origin -
- Religion/Belief (or lack thereof) -
- Pregnancy and/or Familial Status -
- Veteran Status -
- Genetic Information -
- Property and/or Socio-Economic Status -
- Technical Preferences -
- Experience Level +
- Neurodivergence +
- Gender identity and/or expression +
- Sexual orientation +
- Disability and/or health +
- Physical appearance (such as skin colour, body size, etc) +
- Nationality, citizenship, ethnic, or social origin +
- Religion/belief (or lack thereof) +
- Pregnancy and/or familial status +
- Veteran status +
- Genetic information +
- Property and/or socio-economic status +
- Technical preferences +
- Experience and/or education level
All racial slurs [insert link to external list of racial slurs] will automatically be considered Red whether they are direct or indirect comments. Swear words and disability slurs will - be rated Amber.
++ All racial slurs will be considered Red whether direct or indirect comments. +
- +Topics rated Amber because they may be triggering include:
- Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and verbal) -
- Violence and Assault -
- Drug and/or Alcohol use -
- Mental Health Issues +
- Violence and assault +
- Drug and/or alcohol misuse +
- Mental health issues
- Negative body image
+ Swear words and disability slurs will + also be rated Amber. +
Additional Guidelines for Writing on Behalf of Others
- -While AutSPACEs exists as a platform where autistic people can share their own stories, we are aware that there - will be some cases where autistic people will need support to use the platform or may require others to share - experiences on their behalf. All of the above rules are still in place when posting on behalf of others, and - anything which breaks them will be automatically disapproved for publication on the AutSPACEs platform.
- -These are a series of questions to prompt you to think about how you can best share a story that is not your - own, in order to make sure the story is respectful, appropriate, and representative.
- -Can the person who you are writing about share their - own story with support?
- -If so, please support them to share their own experience, rather than writing about their experience yourself - on their behalf. For instance, if they can speak but not write, it is better to allow them to dictate, and try to - write what they are saying as accurately as possible, than to write your own version of their story. It is also a - good idea to show what you wish to share to the person who you are writing on behalf of. If you can, try to find - out if this reflects their experience and if you can change it to make it better.
- -Have they consented to you writing on their behalf?
- -If so, that’s great. If not, please seek their consent. If they do not give their consent, do not share their - story, even if you think it would benefit them if it is shared. If they are not able to meaningfully consent, then - please share only if you think that it is in their best interests to do so.
+Writing on behalf of others
+ ++ AutSPACEs is a place where autistic people can share stories. + However, some autistic people will need support to do this or may require others to share on their behalf. +
++ If you’re sharing on behalf of someone else, all the rules explained above apply and anything that + breaks them won’t be published for others to see. +
++ Here are some questions to think about before sharing a story that isn’t your own, + to ensure it’s respectful, appropriate and representative. +
+ +Could the person share their own story with support?
+ ++ If they could, please support them to do this, rather than writing on their behalf. + For instance, if they can speak but not write, it’s better to allow them to dictate, + and to write what they say as accurately as possible, rather than write your own version of their story. +
++ It’s also a good idea to show what you plan to share to the person you’re writing for. + Try to find out if it reflects their experience and, if necessary, change it to make it better. +
+ +Do they consent to you writing on their behalf?
+ ++ If so, that’s great. If they don’t give their consent, don’t share their story, even if you think it would + benefit them. If they aren’t able to meaningfully consent, please share only if you think it’s in their best interests. +
Are you the right person to share this story?
-If there is someone else who has a closer personal connection to the person whose story you would like to be - shared on the platform, or who is better qualified to so, consider asking them to share the story instead. You may - also wish to share your version of the story with others who know the person well to make it more accurate.
- -Are you making any assumptions or inferences about - the autistic person you are sharing on behalf of?
- -It is very natural to think we know what is going on in other people’s minds, and sometimes we can talk about - this as a fact without even noticing we are doing so. These are not facts but inferences. It is better to stick to - telling us what you observed about the autistic person you are writing on behalf of rather than making assumptions - about what they think or feel.
- -E.g. don’t write, “my autistic daughter was stressed because the train was loud’,
- -Please write, ‘My autistic daughter shouted and covered his ears when a train passed him loudly. This - happens frequently.’’
- -The aim of entering on behalf of others should be in the service of autistic people’s wellbeing. If you need - more support as a carer or parent, we recommend these resources: [link to resources?]
- -Are you adding subjective and personal details - which are your own?
- -It is better to write neutrally about the things you are observing. Focus on the experience of the autistic - person you are writing on behalf of. Don’t focus on your own experiences or the experiences of other people, - except when it is relevant to the autistic person’s experience. In particular, do not use this space for venting - or complaining about autistic people.
- -E.g. don’t write, “I hate it when my autistic son makes a scene in the supermarket, it’s so - embarrassing”,
- -Please write, “my autistic son cried and stood still in a busy supermarket. Some people around us showed - negative expressions and body language while this happened. This usually occurs when we go to the - supermarket.”
+ If someone else has a closer personal connection to the person who owns the story, + or is better qualified to tell it, consider asking them to do it. + If you are the right person to tell the story, you might want to share your version + with others who know the owner well, so they can help make it more accurate. +
+ +Are you making assumptions or inferences?
+ ++ It’s natural to think we know what’s going on in other people’s minds. + Sometimes we can talk about this as fact without realising it’s actually our inference. + It’s better to tell only what you observed about the person you’re writing on behalf of and + not make assumptions about their thoughts or feelings. +
+ ++ For example, instead of writing, ‘My autistic daughter was stressed because the train was loud,’ + you could say, ‘My autistic daughter shouted and covered her ears when a train passed her loudly. This happens frequently.’ +
+ ++ The aim of sharing on behalf of someone else should be autistic people’s wellbeing. +
+ +Are you adding subjective or personal details?
+ ++ It’s better to write neutrally about the things you’re observing. Focus on the story of the autistic person + you’re sharing for. Don’t focus on your own experiences or those of other people, + except when they’re relevant to the autistic person’s story. In particular, + don’t use this space for venting or complaining about autistic people. +
+ +For example, don’t write, + ‘I hate when my autistic son makes a scene in the supermarket. It’s so embarrassing.’ + Instead, you could say, + ‘My autistic son cried and stood still in a busy supermarket. + Some people around us showed negative expressions and body language while this happened. + This usually occurs when we go to the supermarket.’ +
+Responding to Others' Stories
- -AutSPACEs is designed to be a safe space where people can post their experiences without the fear of receiving - negative or upsetting responses. In order to maintain this safety there is no comment section on the site. Any - stories posted as a direct response to another post will be disapproved.
- -However, as AutSPACEs is an anonymous platform, it is permissible to discuss stories on other sites.
+Responding to others’ stories
+ ++ AutSPACEs is designed to be a safe space where people can share stories without fear of + receiving negative or upsetting responses. To maintain this safety, there is no comment section. + Stories posted as a direct response to another story will not be approved. + However, as AutSPACEs is an anonymous platform, it is permissible to discuss stories published on it on other sites. +
View Stories
+View stories
Autistic people often have different sensory processing to people who are not autistic. - By collecting together lots of autistic people's experiences, we can change spaces so that they are - better for autistic people. +
+ Autistic people’s senses often work differently to those of non-autistic people, + creating all sorts of challenges in day-to-day life. By collecting your experiences, + we can learn more and use the information to influence decision-makers to make spaces more autism-friendly.
View Stories
View Stories
- + {{ checkviolence|yesno:"checked,unchecked" }} /> +View Stories
Negative body image {% endif %} {% if experience.drug %} - Drug and/or Alcohol misuse + Drug and/or alcohol misuse {% endif %} {% if experience.abuse %} Abuse diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/help.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/help.html index 986501a6..41ca50da 100644 --- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/help.html +++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/help.html @@ -19,7 +19,7 @@What Stories Should I Share On AutSPACEs?
+What stories should I share?
- AutSPACEs is a website to collect stories about how autistic people’s sensory processing affects us in our daily - lives. Please share any experiences you have had where your senses have affected you, or tell us about how you - feel in different places. For instance, you could tell us about an office which is too bright, a train station - which is confusing, or a walk which you found calming. + AutSPACEs was created to collect stories about how autistic people’s sensory processing affects daily life. + Please share any experiences you’ve had where your senses affected you, + or tell us about how you feel in different places. For instance, you might want to share about an + office that’s too bright, a train station that’s confusing, or a walk you found calming.
- If you have any solutions, strategies, recommendations or tips which makes or would have made your experience - better please also share them. For instance, ‘there should be more arrows to show which way to go’, or - ‘noise-canceling headphones help to make train journeys more comfortable’. + If you have solutions, strategies, recommendations or tips to make your experience – or similar ones – better, + please share them too. For instance, you might want to say, + ‘There should be more arrows to show which way to go,’ or, + ‘Noise-cancelling headphones help to make train journeys more comfortable.’
- Please follow our Code of Conduct + Whatever you decide to share, please follow our content guidelines
@@ -48,7 +49,7 @@
What Stories Should I Share On Aut
What Stories Should I Share On Aut
Who Can Share Stories On AutSPACEs?
-Anyone can share stories on AutSPACEs. You do not have to be autistic to share stories on AutSPACEs, but we - are looking for stories to help understand autism and sensory processing, and to make spaces better for - autistic people. -
-You can help an autistic person to share experiences or share stories about someone who is unable to do so - themselves as long as you follow our code of conduct and guidelines.
+Who can share stories on AutSPACEs?
-
What Happens To The Stories I Share On AutSPACEs? -
-You can decide who can see any story you share on AutSPACEs. You have four options.
+What happens to stories I share?
+You decide who sees any story you share on AutSPACEs. There are four options.
-
-
-
- Keep the story private If you keep the story private, we will hold it securely in a database (via - Open Humans) and won’t share it with anyone else. You will be able to view it when you login to your account. - - -
- Share the story with researchers If you choose to share the story with researchers, we will hold it - securely in a database. We will share it with researchers who have applied to access the AutSPACEs data. We - will only allow researchers to access the data if they are accepted by a panel and if they agree to our terms - and values. - - -
- Share the story publicly If you choose to share the story publicly, we will hold it securely in a - database. We will first check it to make sure it follows our Code of Conduct. If we decide to publish it, - you will get a notification on your account and it will be posted publicly on the AutSPACEs website. If it - includes potentially upsetting or triggering content, it will be published with a trigger warning. - Anyone will be able to read the story. If we decide not to publish it, you will get a notification on your - account. Please be aware we cannot control who will read the story once it is published online. - -
- Share with researchers and publicly -
We will never sell your data, or share your stories with anyone without your permission.
--
+ If it includes potentially upsetting or triggering content, + it will be published with a trigger warning. If it includes unacceptable content, + you will get a notification on your account that it won’t be published – + and you can decide whether to change and resubmit it. +
++ Please be aware, we can’t control who reads a story once it’s published. +
++ 2. Share the story with researchers +
++ If you choose to share the story for research, we will hold it securely in a database. + We will share it only with researchers who’ve been accepted by our vetting panel and agree to our terms and values. +
++ 3. Share publicly and with researchers +
++ You can opt to share in both these ways. +
++ 4. Keep the story private +
++ If you keep the story private, we will hold it securely in a database and won’t share it with anyone else. + You will be able to view it from My stories..
+ + +We will never sell your data, and we will never share your stories without your permission.
How Do You Decide Which Stories To Publish On The AutSPACEs - Website?
-We publish all stories that follow our Code of Conduct and that we have permission from the writer of - the story to share publicly.
- +How do you decide which stories to publish?
-
What Can I Do If I Want My Story To Be Published But - It Wasn’t Accepted?
-You can change your story and submit it again. Please make sure your story follows our Code of Conduct
+Can you change my story?
-
What can I do if my story isn’t accepted?
+You’re welcome to change your story, making sure it follows our content guidelines, and submit it again.
What If I Change My Mind About My Story?
-If you change your mind about who you want to see your story, you can go to the story on your account and - change your sharing permissions.
-If you no longer want to share it with researchers, we will not share it with any further researchers,
- and we will notify existing researchers to remove it from their data.
-
It may not always be possible to remove your story from the data, for instance if a paper has already
- been published using the data.
-
If you no longer want it to be shared publicly, it will be immediately removed from the website. You can - change your sharing permissions at any time by logging into your account.
-If you change your mind about what you want to include in your story, you can edit it and submit it again. - It will be immediately changed in the database. We will need to check it again to make sure it follows our code - of conduct before we publish it. You can edit your story anytime by logging into your account.
-You can also delete your story at any time and it will be immediately removed from the website and the - database. You can delete your story at any time by logging into your account.
+What if I change my mind about my story?
++ If you change your mind about what you want to include in your story, you can edit it at any time, + by logging into your account, then resubmit it. It will be changed in + the database immediately. If you want it published publicly, + we’ll need to check again that it follows our content guidelines. +
++ You can delete your story at any time by logging into your account. + It will be removed from the website and database right away. +
++ If you change your mind about who you want to see your story, you can log into your account + at any time and change the permissions. +
++ If you no longer want to share your story for research, we won’t share it with any further + researchers and will ask any that already have it to remove it from their data. + However, it may not always be possible to remove your story – for instance, + if a paper has already been published using the data. +
++ If you alter your permissions so a story is not shared publicly, this change will happen immediately. +
Can I Share A Story About Someone Else?
-Yes, but please be respectful when you share someone else’s story. You are welcome to help someone else to - use the platform. For example, you can help someone to put their story into writing if they are unable to do it - themselves, or if they find it hard to do without help. Please ask for their permission and check they are happy - with what you have written if they are able to do so.
-We want to include as many people as possible, so you can also share a story about someone else if they - cannot do so for themselves and they cannot give explicit permission. In that case, please keep the story as - neutral as possible, and make observations instead of assumptions or inferences. Please read and follow our - guidelines on sharing stories about someone else. AutSPACEs is not a place to complain, rant or vent about - autistic people. It exists to understand autistic people better and to promote our wellbeing.
- --
Can I share a story about someone else?
++ You’re welcome to help someone else if they need support to share their story or can’t do it themselves. + But, if possible, do this only with their permission, and check they’re happy with what you’ve written. +
++ Please follow our content guidelines, keep the story as neutral as possible + and make observations instead of assumptions or inferences. +
++ AutSPACEs is not a place to complain, rant or vent about autistic people. + It exists to understand autistic people better and to promote their wellbeing.
What's the Process for Sharing a Story?
-To share an experience on AutSPACEs, please go to the Share Stories - page when you are logged in and write in the text box about any time you have been effected by your senses. - Then you can submit your experience for research or to share publicly on our website. The flow chart below shows - the steps you can take to share an experience on AutSPACEs.
+What's the process for sharing a story?
++ To share a sensory experience on AutSPACEs, go to the Add stories + page and create an account (or log in). + Once you’re logged in, write your story in the text box. You can then choose to share it + publicly on the website or for research, to do both things or neither. +
What does being an AutSPACEs moderator involve?
-Thank you for your interest in becoming a moderator for AutSPACEs. This is a hugely important and valuable role. As a moderator you will have a direct impact on the experiences of people using the AutSPACEs platform. You can help ensure that AutSPACEs is a welcoming and inclusive space where autistic people can be heard.
++ Thank you for your interest in becoming a moderator. This is a hugely important and valuable role. + Moderators will have a direct impact on the experiences of people using AutSPACEs by helping + ensure it’s a welcoming and inclusive space where autistic people can be heard. + The role will be voluntary and unpaid. +
++ We’re currently developing a process for members of the AutSPACEs community to become moderators, + but we need to ensure we uphold our responsibilities towards ethical data management, + and we also need more information about how people use the website. +
++ In the meantime, a member of the AutSPACEs team will moderate stories. + If you would like to be involved in designing how we moderate the site, + please email us at AutSPACEs@turing.ac.uk.
What are the benefits of being an AutSPACEs moderator?
-There are many benefits to being a moderator for AutSPACEs
+What are the benefits of being a moderator?
+There are several benefits of being a moderator for AutSPACEs.
1. Helping the autism community
-Moderation is absolutely essential to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for autistic people and their supporters online. Unfortunately, autistic people are more likely to encounter problems such as bullying and harassment online which may make their experience negative or prevent them from benefiting from online communities. At AutSPACEs we want to change that by creating a friendly, safe, autistic-voice-first space which diverse autistic people can trust. As a moderator, you can support other autistic people and their allies by making sure that when they come to AutSPACEs they are protected and can feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
++ Moderation is essential to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for autistic people + and their supporters online. Unfortunately, autistic people are more likely to encounter + problems such as bullying and harassment online, which may make their experience negative or + prevent them benefiting from online communities. +
++ At AutSPACEs, we want to create a friendly, safe, autistic-voice-first space that diverse autistic + people can trust. As a moderator, you will be able to support other autistic people and + their allies by ensuring when they come to AutSPACEs, + they’re protected and can feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
2. Having power
-As an AutSPACEs moderator, you have a direct say in what gets published. You can also influence the way the platform is run and the values that it upholds. We want you to have power and control over AutSPACEs, because it is your space and exists to support you. If you are frustrated about how autistic people are treated or spoken about online, by becoming an AutSPACEs moderator you can take direct action to change that and create a different space. +
+ As an AutSPACEs moderator, you will have a direct say in what gets published. + You will also be able to influence the way it’s run and the values it upholds. + We want you to have power and control over AutSPACEs, because it’s your space and exists to support you. +
++ If you’re frustrated about how autistic people are treated or spoken about online, + by becoming an AutSPACEs moderator you’ll be taking direct action to change that and create a different space.
3. Gaining skills
-Moderation skills are hugely valuable. As a moderator for AutSPACEs you will gain specific skills and understanding about what to look for when you moderate online posts, and how to assess them using a code of conduct. Reading others’ experiences will also broaden your perspective and you will be able to develop your empathy and awareness.
++ Moderation skills are hugely valuable. As a moderator for AutSPACEs, you’ll gain specific skills and + understanding about what to look for when moderating posts, and how to assess them using content guidelines. + Reading others’ experiences will also broaden your perspective, increasing your empathy and awareness. +
4. Flexibility
-As a moderator, the amount of time you want to put in is up to you. You will not be required to moderate for any set number of hours, and you can stop at any time if you do not wish to continue. It is an entirely flexible volunteering role which you can do from the comfort of your own home.
++ As a moderator, the amount of time you put in will be up to you. You won’t be required to moderate for a set number of + hours, and you can stop at any time. It will be an entirely flexible volunteering + role that you can do from the comfort of your home. +
What are the risks of being an AutSPACEs moderator?
-As an AutSPACEs moderator, you will be in a position to shield others from potentially upsetting, triggering, explicit or abusive content. This means you will have to be prepared to read that content. Please therefore only apply to become an AutSPACEs moderator if you are psychologically robust and prepared to encounter such content
-If you find that you are distressed, concerned, or negatively affected in any way by your experiences as a moderator, please reach out to a member of the moderator team and we will support you.
+What are the risks of being a moderator?
++ As an AutSPACEs moderator, you’ll be in a position to shield others from potentially upsetting, + triggering, explicit or abusive content. This means you’ll have to read that content. + Please, therefore, apply only if you’re psychologically robust and prepared to encounter such content. +
++ If you are distressed, concerned or negatively affected in any way by your experiences as a moderator, + please reach out to a member of the moderator team and we will support you. +
AutSPACEs
A space for autistic people to share our stories about our senses so we can build a better world for autistic people
++ Welcome to AutSPACEs! + This is a community of autistic people where you can share stories about your senses with other users and allies, + to help make the world more comfortable and inclusive. +
A space for autistic people to share our stories about ou
- About AutSPACEs
+ Why your sensory stories matter
- AutSPACEs is made by and for autistic people, researchers, and allies
- of autistic people, who think that the world would be a much better place
- if autistic people had more of a say in how public and private spaces are
- used and designed.
-
- All autistic people are different. We want to collect together lots of
- stories from autistic people, so that we can better understand how
- sensory processing differences affect the way autistic people navigate
- the world around them. Together, we can use this information to build a
- better world for autistic people.
-
+ Every autistic person is unique but there are things many have in common.
+ These include senses that work differently to those of non-autistic people.
+
+ This can create challenges and barriers when you have to navigate public and private spaces that don’t
+ take account of your differences.
+ For example, you might find it hard – or impossible – to cope with light and sound levels,
+ strong smells or busy places that don’t trouble non-autistic people.
+
+ Help make a difference
+
+
+ Sharing stories of sensory difficulties you’ve faced and how you responded can help you process what happened,
+ while reading about other people’s experiences can make you feel less alone.
+
+
+ Telling your stories can also educate non-autistic people,
+ including researchers and designers, about autistic people’s
+ needs – an important step towards building a world that works better for everyone.
+
+
+ You are in control
+
+
+ If you’d like to get involved or want to know more, click on a menu option at the top of the page or an icon below.
+
+
+ It’s up to you how many stories you share, how much or how little you say and whether you make them
+ available for others to read. You can edit your stories, change who can see them or delete them at any time.
+
About AutSPACEs
+Why your sensory stories matter
AutSPACEs is made by and for autistic people, researchers, and allies - of autistic people, who think that the world would be a much better place - if autistic people had more of a say in how public and private spaces are - used and designed.
- -All autistic people are different. We want to collect together lots of - stories from autistic people, so that we can better understand how - sensory processing differences affect the way autistic people navigate - the world around them. Together, we can use this information to build a - better world for autistic people.
- +Every autistic person is unique but there are things many have in common. + These include senses that work differently to those of non-autistic people.
+ +This can create challenges and barriers when you have to navigate public and private spaces that don’t + take account of your differences. + For example, you might find it hard – or impossible – to cope with light and sound levels, + strong smells or busy places that don’t trouble non-autistic people.
+ +Help make a difference
+ ++ Sharing stories of sensory difficulties you’ve faced and how you responded can help you process what happened, + while reading about other people’s experiences can make you feel less alone. +
++ Telling your stories can also educate non-autistic people, + including researchers and designers, about autistic people’s + needs – an important step towards building a world that works better for everyone. +
++ You are in control +
++ If you’d like to get involved or want to know more, click on a menu option at the top of the page or an icon below. +
++ It’s up to you how many stories you share, how much or how little you say and whether you make them + available for others to read. You can edit your stories, change who can see them or delete them at any time. +
About AutSPACEs
How to use the platform
+How to use AutSPACEs
Our goals
Share
-Share our strategies and experiences with each other
+Share stories and strategies with each other
Influence
-Advise organisations and policy-makers for real-world impact
+Influence organisations and policymakers for real change
The AutSPACEs platform is an online space which puts autistic people first. We are committed to - providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people and their supporters to share experiences, - knowing their voices will be heard and their contributions recognised.
-AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers. - In order - for the platform to be a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the - community, everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow our content moderation guidelines. Before they - are - published all stories will be reviewed by a moderator who will use this document as guidance when making - decisions as to whether a post can be approved or not.
- ++ AutSPACEs is an online space which puts autistic people first. + We’re committed to providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people + and supporters to share experiences, knowing your voices will be heard and your contributions recognised. +
++ AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers. + To ensure it is a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the community, + everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow our + content guidelines. +
++ Before a story can be published, it will be reviewed by a moderator to check it adheres to these guidelines. + If it doesn’t, you can choose for the story to remain private or to edit and resubmit it. +
What are sensory experiences? -People with autism often have sensory differences. This means their senses may be weaker or stronger than - those who are neurotypical. This is why navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult for - people with autism. - Examples of senses include: +
+ Autistic people often have senses that are weaker or stronger than those of non-autistic people. + This is one of the reasons navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult. +
++ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include:
-
-
- Sight -
- Hearing -
- Smell -
- Taste -
- Balance (Vestibular) -
- Body Awareness (Proprioception) +
- The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception; +
- The sense of balance, or equilibrioception; +
- The perception of pain, or nociception; +
- The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception; +
- The sense of time passing, or chromoception.
What are trigger labels?
AutSPACEs is interested in sensory experiences across a wide range of situations and impacts. - This explicitly includes potentially challenging or distressing experiences. - In order to give readers the possibility to only read those stories when they are ready for them, we do ask - contributors and our moderators to label potentially sensitive topics. + This includes potentially challenging or distressing experiences. + So readers see those stories only when they’re ready for them, + we ask users to label potentially sensitive topics.
- Example topics: + These include:- Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and verbal) -
- Violence and Assault -
- Drug and/or Alcohol use -
- Mental Health Issues +
- Violence and assault +
- Drug and/or alcohol misuse +
- Mental health issues
- Negative body image
- To keep our community safe, there a number of topics that are off-limits and that won't be made publicly available.
- Our moderators will reject the publication of these stories. This includes personal identifiable information & discriminating content.
+ To keep our community safe, our moderators will not make stories that include personal identifiable
+ information and/or discriminatory content publicly available.
- Examples of unacceptable personal details
+ Unacceptable personal details include:
- - Names of people (e.g. friends, co-workers, family members)
- - Names of workplaces/schools, etc.
+ - Names of people (for example, friends, co-workers or family members)
+ - Names of workplaces, schools etc
- Addresses
- Emails
- Phone numbers
- Examples of discrimination against:
+ Any story that discriminates against or belittles anyone based on the following
+ characteristics will not be approved by moderators, so will not be visible to other site users:
- - Neurodiversity
- - Gender Identity and/or Expression
- - Sexual Orientation
- - Disability and/or Health
- - Physical Appearance (eg. skin colour, body size, etc.)
- - Nationality, Citizenship and Ethnic or Social Origin
- - Religion/Belief (or lack thereof)
- - Pregnancy and/or Familial Status
- - Veteran Status
- - Genetic Information
- - Property and/or Socio-Economic Status
- - Technical Preferences
- - Experience Level
+ - Neurodivergence
+ - Gender identity and/or expression
+ - Sexual orientation
+ - Disability and/or health
+ - Physical appearance (such as skin colour, body size, etc)
+ - Nationality, citizenship, ethnic, or social origin
+ - Religion/belief (or lack thereof)
+ - Pregnancy and/or familial status
+ - Veteran status
+ - Genetic information
+ - Property and/or socio-economic status
+ - Technical preferences
+ - Experience and/or education level
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/moderation_table.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/moderation_table.html
index 9276bbce..102d67cb 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/moderation_table.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/moderation_table.html
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
{% if file.mentalhealth %}
- Mental Health issues
+ Mental health issues
{% endif %}
{% if file.violence %}
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
{% if file.drug %}
- Drug and/or Alcohol misuse
+ Drug and/or alcohol misuse
{% endif %}
{% if file.abuse %}
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/my_stories.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/my_stories.html
index 7bac94bb..b7d64f7f 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/my_stories.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/my_stories.html
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
- - See the experiences you have saved and submitted.
+
- See the experiences you’ve saved and submitted.
- Change sharing permissions for your experiences.
@@ -29,13 +29,13 @@
- Stories Dashboard
+ Stories dashboard
- In Process
+ In process
Not yet reviewed: {% firstof not_reviewed 0|floatformat %} {% toggle_story not_reviewed %}
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ Moderated
- Moderation Update
+ Moderation update
{% if exp_hist %}
@@ -162,12 +162,12 @@ Moderation Update
- Enter Another Experience
+ Add another story
Contact Moderators
+ target="_blank">Contact moderators
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/footer.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/footer.html
index 4c5997b6..988dd055 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/footer.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/footer.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
-
+
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/navigation.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/navigation.html
index 8016795d..527ceb22 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/navigation.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/partials/navigation.html
@@ -12,14 +12,14 @@
- Select the Register in Open Humans button below!
+ Select the Register in Open Humans button below.
@@ -51,7 +55,7 @@ Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 2
- Log in to your Open Humans account or create a new one
+ Log into your Open Humans account or create a new one.
@@ -61,7 +65,7 @@ Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 3
- On the AutSPACEs project page, select Connect project and complete the authorization process
+ On the AutSPACEs project page, select Connect project and complete the authorisation process.
@@ -71,7 +75,7 @@ Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 4
- Return to the AutSPACEs page and fill in your profile
+ Return to the AutSPACEs page and fill in your profile.
@@ -81,7 +85,7 @@ Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 5
- You're now ready to share your own story by selecting Add Story from the main menu
+ You’re ready to share your stories by selecting Add stories from the main menu.
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/share_experiences.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/share_experiences.html
index cd8af87b..15b1f17a 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/share_experiences.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/share_experiences.html
@@ -18,41 +18,47 @@
What is AutSPACEs?
- The AutSPACEs platform is an online space which puts autistic people first. We are committed to
- providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people and their supporters to share experiences,
- knowing their voices will be heard and their contributions recognised.
- AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers.
- In order
- for the platform to be a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the
- community, everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow our content moderation guidelines. Before they
- are
- published all stories will be reviewed by a moderator who will use this document as guidance when making
- decisions as to whether a post can be approved or not.
-
+
+ AutSPACEs is an online space which puts autistic people first.
+ We’re committed to providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people
+ and supporters to share experiences, knowing your voices will be heard and your contributions recognised.
+
+
+ AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers.
+ To ensure it is a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the community,
+ everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow our
+ content guidelines.
+
+
+ Before a story can be published, it will be reviewed by a moderator to check it adheres to these guidelines.
+ If it doesn’t, you can choose for the story to remain private or to edit and resubmit it.
+
What are sensory experiences?
- People with autism often have sensory differences. This means their senses may be weaker or stronger than
- those who are neurotypical. This is why navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult for
- people with autism.
- Examples of senses include:
+
+ Autistic people often have senses that are weaker or stronger than those of non-autistic people.
+ This is one of the reasons navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult.
+
+
+ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include:
- - Sight
- - Hearing
- - Smell
- - Taste
- - Balance (Vestibular)
- - Body Awareness (Proprioception)
+ - The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception;
+ - The sense of balance, or equilibrioception;
+ - The perception of pain, or nociception;
+ - The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception;
+ - The sense of time passing, or chromoception.
-
+
@@ -71,21 +77,21 @@
What are trigger labels?
AutSPACEs is interested in sensory experiences across a wide range of situations and impacts.
- This explicitly includes potentially challenging or distressing experiences.
- In order to give readers the possibility to only read those stories when they are ready for them, we do ask
- contributors and our moderators to label potentially sensitive topics.
+ This includes potentially challenging or distressing experiences.
+ So readers see those stories only when they’re ready for them,
+ we ask users to label potentially sensitive topics.
- Example topics:
+ These include:
- Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and verbal)
- - Violence and Assault
- - Drug and/or Alcohol use
- - Mental Health Issues
+ - Violence and assault
+ - Drug and/or alcohol misuse
+ - Mental health issues
- Negative body image
-
+
@@ -102,34 +108,35 @@
- To keep our community safe, there a number of topics that are off-limits and that won't be made publicly available.
- Our moderators will reject the publication of these stories. This includes personal identifiable information & discriminating content.
+ To keep our community safe, our moderators will not make stories that include personal identifiable
+ information and/or discriminatory content publicly available.
- Examples of unacceptable personal details
+ Unacceptable personal details include:
- - Names of people (e.g. friends, co-workers, family members)
- - Names of workplaces/schools, etc.
+ - Names of people (for example, friends, co-workers or family members)
+ - Names of workplaces, schools etc
- Addresses
- Emails
- Phone numbers
- Examples of discrimination against:
+ Any story that discriminates against or belittles anyone based on the following
+ characteristics will not be approved by moderators, so will not be visible to other site users:
- - Neurodiversity
- - Gender Identity and/or Expression
- - Sexual Orientation
- - Disability and/or Health
- - Physical Appearance (eg. skin colour, body size, etc.)
- - Nationality, Citizenship and Ethnic or Social Origin
- - Religion/Belief (or lack thereof)
- - Pregnancy and/or Familial Status
- - Veteran Status
- - Genetic Information
- - Property and/or Socio-Economic Status
- - Technical Preferences
- - Experience Level
+ - Neurodivergence
+ - Gender identity and/or expression
+ - Sexual orientation
+ - Disability and/or health
+ - Physical appearance (such as skin colour, body size, etc)
+ - Nationality, citizenship, ethnic, or social origin
+ - Religion/belief (or lack thereof)
+ - Pregnancy and/or familial status
+ - Veteran status
+ - Genetic information
+ - Property and/or socio-economic status
+ - Technical preferences
+ - Experience and/or education level
@@ -177,16 +184,16 @@ {{ field.help_text }}
{% else %}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}
{% define "Sensitive topics" as header %}
- {% define "Please indicate if your experience covers a sensitive topic by selecting from the trigger labels below" as subheader %}
+ {% define "Please indicate if your experience covers a sensitive topic by selecting from the following trigger labels:" as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-6" as columns %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 3 %}
- {% define "Sharing Options" as header %}
+ {% define "Sharing options" as header %}
{% define "Please indicate if you want to share your experience" as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-6" as columns %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 4 %}
- {% define "Authorship Description" as header %}
+ {% define "Authorship description" as header %}
{% define "Are you writing this experience on behalf of yourself?" as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-12" as columns %}
{% endif %}
@@ -227,8 +234,9 @@ {{ subheader }}
{% endfor %}
{% if group.grouper == 3 %}
- If neither of these boxes are checked, the story is only visible to yourself. In this case, the story will not be used for research and not moderated.
- You can always change these settings from the My Stories page.
+ If neither of these boxes is checked, only you will be able to see your story.
+ It will not be used for research and not moderated. You can change these settings at any time on the
+ My stories page.
{% endif %}
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html
index 6bc81711..9a93dcdf 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
{{experience.other}}
{% endif %}
{% if experience.mentalhealth %}
- Mental Health issues
+ Mental health issues
{% endif %}
{% if experience.violence %}
Violence
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
Negative body image
{% endif %}
{% if experience.drug %}
- Drug and/or Alcohol misuse
+ Drug and/or alcohol misuse
{% endif %}
{% if experience.abuse %}
Abuse
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html
index 4e5c8b2a..2aa3f422 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
Nr.
Title
- Creation Date
+ Creation date
Tags
- Moderation Status
- File Options
+ Moderation status
+ File options
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
{% endfor %}
- {% firstof file.metadata.data.moderation_status "Moderation Status Unknown" %}
+ {% firstof file.metadata.data.moderation_status "Moderation status unknown" %}
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html
index 93a236a2..beeba8da 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
{% extends 'main/application.html' %}
{% load static %}
-{% block title %}AutSPACEs - What is Autism? {% endblock %}
+{% block title %}AutSPACEs - About autism? {% endblock %}
{% block body_attributes%} {% endblock %}
@@ -19,52 +19,93 @@
Contents
About Autism
+ href="#about-autspaces">What is autism?
About Sensory Processing
+ href="#platform-usage">About sensory processing
- About Autism
- Autism affects the way people communicate and experience the world around them.
+ What is autism?
+
+ Autism is a life-long neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it involves the brain.
+ It affects the way people communicate and experience the world.
+
+
+ Autistic brains find processing more difficult than those of non-autistic people.
+ That can relate to interaction with other humans, physical and emotional stimuli or things like change and uncertainty.
+ It also means autistic people tend to enjoy the simple reliability of routines and patterns.
+
- Autism is a spectrum of developmental conditions, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Every autistic person is different. Some are able to learn, live and work independently, while many have learning differences or co-occurring health conditions that require specialist support.
+
+ Each autistic person has their own unique set of challenges and strengths.
+ There’s no fix or cure, but that’s fine because autistic people aren’t broken, just different.
+ Many can learn, live and work independently, while others have learning disabilities or co-occurring
+ health conditions that require specialist support.
+
"It’s just the way I process the world, it can give me challenges, but it gives me great joy too. I wouldn’t
be me without it!"
Rhi, autistic adult
+
+ Asperger’s or autism?
+
+ Some autistic people were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and
+ continue to use this name for their condition. Others choose not to call it this because
+ Hans Asperger, whose work it commemorates, was linked to the Nazi eugenics programme.
+
+ Is it okay to self-diagnose?
+
+ Absolutely. Some autistic people are diagnosed by a health professional as children or adults.
+ Others are self-diagnosed. Not everyone wants, or is able to access, formal diagnosis.
+ NHS waiting lists are long and private assessment is expensive.
+
+
+ If you live in England, under the right-to-choose pathway, you have a legal right to be
+ referred for private assessment paid for by the NHS, but this can
+ still involve a significant wait.
+ Unfortunately, right-to-choose doesn’t operate elsewhere in the UK.
+
- About Sensory Processing
- Autistic people often experience the world differently to non-autistic people because of senses working differently. This is not a flaw, it is just a difference. But because so many places have been built by non-autistic people without autistic people in mind, they are often not suitable for us, and may be unpleasant or inaccessible.
- Everyone is different. By collecting together lots of autistic people’s experiences of how they are impacted by their senses, we can change spaces so that they are better for more autistic people.
- Sensory processing refers to the ways that our brains and bodies receive, sort, and respond to our environment using our senses. You might have heard of the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.
- There are more senses than just these five. We also have a sense of our own body, how we are moving it, and where it is in space. This sense is called proprioception. If you catch a ball or touch your nose, you are using proprioception.
-
- There are lots of different opinions about how many senses there are. Other senses include: a sense of balance (equilibriocpetion), a sense of hot and cold (thermoception), a sense of your heart beating (cardioception), and a sense of time passing (chromoception).
-
- A lot of autistic people (as many as 9/10 autistic people depending on the study) have sensory processing
- differences compared to non-autistic people. This means that they might respond to their environments differently. Sometimes this can cause extra challenges and create barriers for autistic peeople compared to non-autistic people when they navigate environments which were not build with autistic people in mind. For example, you might find lights brighter, noises louder, or busy spaces more overwhelming compared to non-autistic people. You may also experience positive differences.
+ About sensory processing
+ Sensory processing is the way our brains and bodies interpret the world around us using information supplied by our senses.
+ Researchers have found that up to nine out of ten autistic people have sensory processing differences to non-autistic people. This can mean their senses are more or less sensitive – or both, at different times – making all sorts of places and situations trickier to negotiate.
+ Each autistic person experiences the world differently. Some might struggle to concentrate or become distressed because they can’t ignore sounds others don’t seem to notice.
+ Bright lights or strong smells might cause headaches, while direct eye contact and the touch of others, from handshakes to hugs, could feel deeply intrusive. Some might have difficulty recognising when they’re in pain.
+ Autistic difference can be an advantage, too, if it means pleasurable sensations are more intense.
+
+ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include:
+
+ - The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception;
+ - The sense of balance, or equilibrioception;
+ - The perception of pain, or nociception;
+ - The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception;
+ - The sense of time passing, or chromoception.
+
+
+
+ Any or all of these can be different for autistic people. Sharing stories of how they affect day-to-day life will give decision-makers the information they need to change all sorts of spaces for the better.
+
diff --git a/server/apps/users/forms.py b/server/apps/users/forms.py
index 180742c7..f6fd4510 100644
--- a/server/apps/users/forms.py
+++ b/server/apps/users/forms.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
"aria-describedby": "help_id_autistic_identification"}
),
label="Do you identify as autistic?",
- help_text="AutSPACEs is focused on collecting and sharing the voices and lived experiences of autistic people, which is why we require a conscious decision for this question. If you select prefer not to say your experiences will be considered as coming from a non-autistic person, labeled as such and e.g. not used for research.",
+ help_text="AutSPACEs is focused on collecting and sharing the voices and lived experiences of autistic people, which is why we require a conscious decision for this question. If you select prefer not to say, your experiences will be considered as coming from a non-autistic person, labelled as such and can’t be used for research.",
required=True,
initial="")
autistic_identification.group = 1
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
),
required=False,
label="What is your age group?",
- help_text="Sharing your age might help researchers understand potential trends across age groups. It can also help readers to better understand your perspective if this data is made public.",
+ help_text="Sharing your age might help researchers understand potential trends across age groups. It can also help readers understand your perspective if this data is made public.",
initial="unspecified")
age_bracket.group = 1
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
),
required=False,
label="What gender do you identify with?",
- help_text="Sharing your gender identity might help researchers understand potential trends across different demographics. It can also help readers to better understand your perspective if this data is made public. You can also choose to self-identify instead of using one of the pre-given options.",
+ help_text="Sharing your gender identity might help researchers understand potential trends across different demographics. It can also help readers understand your perspective if this data is made public. You can also choose to self-identify instead of using one of the pre-given options.",
initial="unspecified")
gender.group = 1
@@ -81,13 +81,14 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
gender_public.group = 1
gender_public.gap = True
- description = forms.CharField(label="What else would you like researchers (or readers) to know about yourself?",
+ description = forms.CharField(label="What else would you like researchers (or readers) to know about you?",
max_length=2048, strip=True, required=False,
- help_text="""You can provide any additional context about yourself here that you deem
- relevant to understanding your perspective and experiences. This could be your ethnicity,
- where you grew up, your educational background, or when and how you (self-)diagnosed.
- The AutSPACEs team might use this information to refine the structured demographic questions above.
- You can also make this information publicly accessible — which might be linked to your public experiences in the future.""",
+ help_text="""
+ You can provide any additional context here that you deem relevant to understanding your perspective and experiences.
+ This could be your ethnicity, where you grew up, your educational background, or when and how you (self-)diagnosed.
+ The AutSPACEs team might use this information to refine the structured demographic questions above.
+ You can also make this information publicly accessible, and it might be linked to your public experiences in the future.
+ """,
widget=forms.Textarea(attrs={"placeholder":"Optionally share more about yourself",
"rows":"4",
"class":"form-control",
@@ -104,15 +105,15 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
abuse.group = 2
- violence = forms.BooleanField(label = "Violence and Assault",
+ violence = forms.BooleanField(label = "Violence and assault",
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
violence.group = 2
- drug = forms.BooleanField(label = "Drug and/or Alcohol misuse",
+ drug = forms.BooleanField(label = "Drug and/or alcohol misuse",
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
drug.group = 2
- mentalhealth = forms.BooleanField(label = "Mental Health Issues",
+ mentalhealth = forms.BooleanField(label = "Mental health issues",
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
mentalhealth.group = 2
diff --git a/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html b/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html
index c32154ac..1453c5ca 100644
--- a/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html
+++ b/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@
{% define "col-lg-12" as columns %}
{% if group.grouper == 1 %}
{% define "Your profile" as header %}
- {% define "You can chose 'Prefer not to say' for all options and answers are not public by default." as subheader %}
+ {% define "You can choose 'Prefer not to say' for all options, and answers are not public by default." as subheader %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}
{% define "Sensitive topics" as header %}
- {% define "Select which sensitive topics should be visible as your default" as subheader %}
+ {% define "Select which sensitive topics should be visible as your default." as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-6" as columns %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 3 %}
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ {{ subheader }}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}
- You can modify these defaults at any time. You can also override the defaults from the View Stories page.
+ You can modify these defaults at any time. You can also override the defaults from the View stories page.
{% endif %}
- To keep our community safe, there a number of topics that are off-limits and that won't be made publicly available. - Our moderators will reject the publication of these stories. This includes personal identifiable information & discriminating content. + To keep our community safe, our moderators will not make stories that include personal identifiable + information and/or discriminatory content publicly available.
- Examples of unacceptable personal details + Unacceptable personal details include:-
-
- Names of people (e.g. friends, co-workers, family members) -
- Names of workplaces/schools, etc. +
- Names of people (for example, friends, co-workers or family members) +
- Names of workplaces, schools etc
- Addresses
- Emails
- Phone numbers
-
-
- Neurodiversity -
- Gender Identity and/or Expression -
- Sexual Orientation -
- Disability and/or Health -
- Physical Appearance (eg. skin colour, body size, etc.) -
- Nationality, Citizenship and Ethnic or Social Origin -
- Religion/Belief (or lack thereof) -
- Pregnancy and/or Familial Status -
- Veteran Status -
- Genetic Information -
- Property and/or Socio-Economic Status -
- Technical Preferences -
- Experience Level +
- Neurodivergence +
- Gender identity and/or expression +
- Sexual orientation +
- Disability and/or health +
- Physical appearance (such as skin colour, body size, etc) +
- Nationality, citizenship, ethnic, or social origin +
- Religion/belief (or lack thereof) +
- Pregnancy and/or familial status +
- Veteran status +
- Genetic information +
- Property and/or socio-economic status +
- Technical preferences +
- Experience and/or education level
- Stories Dashboard + Stories dashboard
In Process
+In process
Not yet reviewed: {% firstof not_reviewed 0|floatformat %} {% toggle_story not_reviewed %} @@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
Moderated
Moderation Update
+Moderation update
-
{% if exp_hist %}
@@ -162,12 +162,12 @@
Moderation Update
-
+
Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 2Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 3Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 4Welcome to AutSPACEs Registration
Step 5The AutSPACEs platform is an online space which puts autistic people first. We are committed to - providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people and their supporters to share experiences, - knowing their voices will be heard and their contributions recognised.
-AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers. - In order - for the platform to be a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the - community, everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow our content moderation guidelines. Before they - are - published all stories will be reviewed by a moderator who will use this document as guidance when making - decisions as to whether a post can be approved or not.
- ++ AutSPACEs is an online space which puts autistic people first. + We’re committed to providing a safe and welcoming place for autistic people + and supporters to share experiences, knowing your voices will be heard and your contributions recognised. +
++ AutSPACEs allows users to share stories publicly with other users as well as privately with researchers. + To ensure it is a respectful and welcoming place for autistic people and other members of the community, + everyone sharing a story publicly will be required to follow our + content guidelines. +
++ Before a story can be published, it will be reviewed by a moderator to check it adheres to these guidelines. + If it doesn’t, you can choose for the story to remain private or to edit and resubmit it. +
What are sensory experiences? -People with autism often have sensory differences. This means their senses may be weaker or stronger than - those who are neurotypical. This is why navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult for - people with autism. - Examples of senses include: +
+ Autistic people often have senses that are weaker or stronger than those of non-autistic people. + This is one of the reasons navigating and coping in the world can be very difficult. +
++ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include:
-
-
- Sight -
- Hearing -
- Smell -
- Taste -
- Balance (Vestibular) -
- Body Awareness (Proprioception) +
- The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception; +
- The sense of balance, or equilibrioception; +
- The perception of pain, or nociception; +
- The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception; +
- The sense of time passing, or chromoception.
What are trigger labels?
AutSPACEs is interested in sensory experiences across a wide range of situations and impacts. - This explicitly includes potentially challenging or distressing experiences. - In order to give readers the possibility to only read those stories when they are ready for them, we do ask - contributors and our moderators to label potentially sensitive topics. + This includes potentially challenging or distressing experiences. + So readers see those stories only when they’re ready for them, + we ask users to label potentially sensitive topics.
- Example topics: + These include:- Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional and verbal) -
- Violence and Assault -
- Drug and/or Alcohol use -
- Mental Health Issues +
- Violence and assault +
- Drug and/or alcohol misuse +
- Mental health issues
- Negative body image
- To keep our community safe, there a number of topics that are off-limits and that won't be made publicly available.
- Our moderators will reject the publication of these stories. This includes personal identifiable information & discriminating content.
+ To keep our community safe, our moderators will not make stories that include personal identifiable
+ information and/or discriminatory content publicly available.
- Examples of unacceptable personal details
+ Unacceptable personal details include:
- - Names of people (e.g. friends, co-workers, family members)
- - Names of workplaces/schools, etc.
+ - Names of people (for example, friends, co-workers or family members)
+ - Names of workplaces, schools etc
- Addresses
- Emails
- Phone numbers
- Examples of discrimination against:
+ Any story that discriminates against or belittles anyone based on the following
+ characteristics will not be approved by moderators, so will not be visible to other site users:
- - Neurodiversity
- - Gender Identity and/or Expression
- - Sexual Orientation
- - Disability and/or Health
- - Physical Appearance (eg. skin colour, body size, etc.)
- - Nationality, Citizenship and Ethnic or Social Origin
- - Religion/Belief (or lack thereof)
- - Pregnancy and/or Familial Status
- - Veteran Status
- - Genetic Information
- - Property and/or Socio-Economic Status
- - Technical Preferences
- - Experience Level
+ - Neurodivergence
+ - Gender identity and/or expression
+ - Sexual orientation
+ - Disability and/or health
+ - Physical appearance (such as skin colour, body size, etc)
+ - Nationality, citizenship, ethnic, or social origin
+ - Religion/belief (or lack thereof)
+ - Pregnancy and/or familial status
+ - Veteran status
+ - Genetic information
+ - Property and/or socio-economic status
+ - Technical preferences
+ - Experience and/or education level
@@ -177,16 +184,16 @@ {{ field.help_text }}
{% else %}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}
{% define "Sensitive topics" as header %}
- {% define "Please indicate if your experience covers a sensitive topic by selecting from the trigger labels below" as subheader %}
+ {% define "Please indicate if your experience covers a sensitive topic by selecting from the following trigger labels:" as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-6" as columns %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 3 %}
- {% define "Sharing Options" as header %}
+ {% define "Sharing options" as header %}
{% define "Please indicate if you want to share your experience" as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-6" as columns %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 4 %}
- {% define "Authorship Description" as header %}
+ {% define "Authorship description" as header %}
{% define "Are you writing this experience on behalf of yourself?" as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-12" as columns %}
{% endif %}
@@ -227,8 +234,9 @@ {{ subheader }}
{% endfor %}
{% if group.grouper == 3 %}
- If neither of these boxes are checked, the story is only visible to yourself. In this case, the story will not be used for research and not moderated.
- You can always change these settings from the My Stories page.
+ If neither of these boxes is checked, only you will be able to see your story.
+ It will not be used for research and not moderated. You can change these settings at any time on the
+ My stories page.
{% endif %}
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html
index 6bc81711..9a93dcdf 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/single_story.html
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
{{experience.other}}
{% endif %}
{% if experience.mentalhealth %}
- Mental Health issues
+ Mental health issues
{% endif %}
{% if experience.violence %}
Violence
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
Negative body image
{% endif %}
{% if experience.drug %}
- Drug and/or Alcohol misuse
+ Drug and/or alcohol misuse
{% endif %}
{% if experience.abuse %}
Abuse
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html
index 4e5c8b2a..2aa3f422 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/story_table.html
@@ -9,10 +9,10 @@
Nr.
Title
- Creation Date
+ Creation date
Tags
- Moderation Status
- File Options
+ Moderation status
+ File options
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
{% endfor %}
- {% firstof file.metadata.data.moderation_status "Moderation Status Unknown" %}
+ {% firstof file.metadata.data.moderation_status "Moderation status unknown" %}
diff --git a/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html b/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html
index 93a236a2..beeba8da 100644
--- a/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html
+++ b/server/apps/main/templates/main/what_autism_is.html
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
{% extends 'main/application.html' %}
{% load static %}
-{% block title %}AutSPACEs - What is Autism? {% endblock %}
+{% block title %}AutSPACEs - About autism? {% endblock %}
{% block body_attributes%} {% endblock %}
@@ -19,52 +19,93 @@
Contents
About Autism
+ href="#about-autspaces">What is autism?
About Sensory Processing
+ href="#platform-usage">About sensory processing
- About Autism
- Autism affects the way people communicate and experience the world around them.
+ What is autism?
+
+ Autism is a life-long neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it involves the brain.
+ It affects the way people communicate and experience the world.
+
+
+ Autistic brains find processing more difficult than those of non-autistic people.
+ That can relate to interaction with other humans, physical and emotional stimuli or things like change and uncertainty.
+ It also means autistic people tend to enjoy the simple reliability of routines and patterns.
+
- Autism is a spectrum of developmental conditions, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Every autistic person is different. Some are able to learn, live and work independently, while many have learning differences or co-occurring health conditions that require specialist support.
+
+ Each autistic person has their own unique set of challenges and strengths.
+ There’s no fix or cure, but that’s fine because autistic people aren’t broken, just different.
+ Many can learn, live and work independently, while others have learning disabilities or co-occurring
+ health conditions that require specialist support.
+
"It’s just the way I process the world, it can give me challenges, but it gives me great joy too. I wouldn’t
be me without it!"
Rhi, autistic adult
+
+ Asperger’s or autism?
+
+ Some autistic people were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and
+ continue to use this name for their condition. Others choose not to call it this because
+ Hans Asperger, whose work it commemorates, was linked to the Nazi eugenics programme.
+
+ Is it okay to self-diagnose?
+
+ Absolutely. Some autistic people are diagnosed by a health professional as children or adults.
+ Others are self-diagnosed. Not everyone wants, or is able to access, formal diagnosis.
+ NHS waiting lists are long and private assessment is expensive.
+
+
+ If you live in England, under the right-to-choose pathway, you have a legal right to be
+ referred for private assessment paid for by the NHS, but this can
+ still involve a significant wait.
+ Unfortunately, right-to-choose doesn’t operate elsewhere in the UK.
+
- About Sensory Processing
- Autistic people often experience the world differently to non-autistic people because of senses working differently. This is not a flaw, it is just a difference. But because so many places have been built by non-autistic people without autistic people in mind, they are often not suitable for us, and may be unpleasant or inaccessible.
- Everyone is different. By collecting together lots of autistic people’s experiences of how they are impacted by their senses, we can change spaces so that they are better for more autistic people.
- Sensory processing refers to the ways that our brains and bodies receive, sort, and respond to our environment using our senses. You might have heard of the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.
- There are more senses than just these five. We also have a sense of our own body, how we are moving it, and where it is in space. This sense is called proprioception. If you catch a ball or touch your nose, you are using proprioception.
-
- There are lots of different opinions about how many senses there are. Other senses include: a sense of balance (equilibriocpetion), a sense of hot and cold (thermoception), a sense of your heart beating (cardioception), and a sense of time passing (chromoception).
-
- A lot of autistic people (as many as 9/10 autistic people depending on the study) have sensory processing
- differences compared to non-autistic people. This means that they might respond to their environments differently. Sometimes this can cause extra challenges and create barriers for autistic peeople compared to non-autistic people when they navigate environments which were not build with autistic people in mind. For example, you might find lights brighter, noises louder, or busy spaces more overwhelming compared to non-autistic people. You may also experience positive differences.
+ About sensory processing
+ Sensory processing is the way our brains and bodies interpret the world around us using information supplied by our senses.
+ Researchers have found that up to nine out of ten autistic people have sensory processing differences to non-autistic people. This can mean their senses are more or less sensitive – or both, at different times – making all sorts of places and situations trickier to negotiate.
+ Each autistic person experiences the world differently. Some might struggle to concentrate or become distressed because they can’t ignore sounds others don’t seem to notice.
+ Bright lights or strong smells might cause headaches, while direct eye contact and the touch of others, from handshakes to hugs, could feel deeply intrusive. Some might have difficulty recognising when they’re in pain.
+ Autistic difference can be an advantage, too, if it means pleasurable sensations are more intense.
+
+ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include:
+
+ - The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception;
+ - The sense of balance, or equilibrioception;
+ - The perception of pain, or nociception;
+ - The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception;
+ - The sense of time passing, or chromoception.
+
+
+
+ Any or all of these can be different for autistic people. Sharing stories of how they affect day-to-day life will give decision-makers the information they need to change all sorts of spaces for the better.
+
diff --git a/server/apps/users/forms.py b/server/apps/users/forms.py
index 180742c7..f6fd4510 100644
--- a/server/apps/users/forms.py
+++ b/server/apps/users/forms.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
"aria-describedby": "help_id_autistic_identification"}
),
label="Do you identify as autistic?",
- help_text="AutSPACEs is focused on collecting and sharing the voices and lived experiences of autistic people, which is why we require a conscious decision for this question. If you select prefer not to say your experiences will be considered as coming from a non-autistic person, labeled as such and e.g. not used for research.",
+ help_text="AutSPACEs is focused on collecting and sharing the voices and lived experiences of autistic people, which is why we require a conscious decision for this question. If you select prefer not to say, your experiences will be considered as coming from a non-autistic person, labelled as such and can’t be used for research.",
required=True,
initial="")
autistic_identification.group = 1
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
),
required=False,
label="What is your age group?",
- help_text="Sharing your age might help researchers understand potential trends across age groups. It can also help readers to better understand your perspective if this data is made public.",
+ help_text="Sharing your age might help researchers understand potential trends across age groups. It can also help readers understand your perspective if this data is made public.",
initial="unspecified")
age_bracket.group = 1
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
),
required=False,
label="What gender do you identify with?",
- help_text="Sharing your gender identity might help researchers understand potential trends across different demographics. It can also help readers to better understand your perspective if this data is made public. You can also choose to self-identify instead of using one of the pre-given options.",
+ help_text="Sharing your gender identity might help researchers understand potential trends across different demographics. It can also help readers understand your perspective if this data is made public. You can also choose to self-identify instead of using one of the pre-given options.",
initial="unspecified")
gender.group = 1
@@ -81,13 +81,14 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
gender_public.group = 1
gender_public.gap = True
- description = forms.CharField(label="What else would you like researchers (or readers) to know about yourself?",
+ description = forms.CharField(label="What else would you like researchers (or readers) to know about you?",
max_length=2048, strip=True, required=False,
- help_text="""You can provide any additional context about yourself here that you deem
- relevant to understanding your perspective and experiences. This could be your ethnicity,
- where you grew up, your educational background, or when and how you (self-)diagnosed.
- The AutSPACEs team might use this information to refine the structured demographic questions above.
- You can also make this information publicly accessible — which might be linked to your public experiences in the future.""",
+ help_text="""
+ You can provide any additional context here that you deem relevant to understanding your perspective and experiences.
+ This could be your ethnicity, where you grew up, your educational background, or when and how you (self-)diagnosed.
+ The AutSPACEs team might use this information to refine the structured demographic questions above.
+ You can also make this information publicly accessible, and it might be linked to your public experiences in the future.
+ """,
widget=forms.Textarea(attrs={"placeholder":"Optionally share more about yourself",
"rows":"4",
"class":"form-control",
@@ -104,15 +105,15 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form):
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
abuse.group = 2
- violence = forms.BooleanField(label = "Violence and Assault",
+ violence = forms.BooleanField(label = "Violence and assault",
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
violence.group = 2
- drug = forms.BooleanField(label = "Drug and/or Alcohol misuse",
+ drug = forms.BooleanField(label = "Drug and/or alcohol misuse",
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
drug.group = 2
- mentalhealth = forms.BooleanField(label = "Mental Health Issues",
+ mentalhealth = forms.BooleanField(label = "Mental health issues",
required=False,
widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"}))
mentalhealth.group = 2
diff --git a/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html b/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html
index c32154ac..1453c5ca 100644
--- a/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html
+++ b/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@
{% define "col-lg-12" as columns %}
{% if group.grouper == 1 %}
{% define "Your profile" as header %}
- {% define "You can chose 'Prefer not to say' for all options and answers are not public by default." as subheader %}
+ {% define "You can choose 'Prefer not to say' for all options, and answers are not public by default." as subheader %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}
{% define "Sensitive topics" as header %}
- {% define "Select which sensitive topics should be visible as your default" as subheader %}
+ {% define "Select which sensitive topics should be visible as your default." as subheader %}
{% define "col-lg-6" as columns %}
{% endif %}
{% if group.grouper == 3 %}
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ {{ subheader }}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}
- You can modify these defaults at any time. You can also override the defaults from the View Stories page.
+ You can modify these defaults at any time. You can also override the defaults from the View stories page.
{% endif %}
- To keep our community safe, there a number of topics that are off-limits and that won't be made publicly available. - Our moderators will reject the publication of these stories. This includes personal identifiable information & discriminating content. + To keep our community safe, our moderators will not make stories that include personal identifiable + information and/or discriminatory content publicly available.
- Examples of unacceptable personal details + Unacceptable personal details include:-
-
- Names of people (e.g. friends, co-workers, family members) -
- Names of workplaces/schools, etc. +
- Names of people (for example, friends, co-workers or family members) +
- Names of workplaces, schools etc
- Addresses
- Emails
- Phone numbers
-
-
- Neurodiversity -
- Gender Identity and/or Expression -
- Sexual Orientation -
- Disability and/or Health -
- Physical Appearance (eg. skin colour, body size, etc.) -
- Nationality, Citizenship and Ethnic or Social Origin -
- Religion/Belief (or lack thereof) -
- Pregnancy and/or Familial Status -
- Veteran Status -
- Genetic Information -
- Property and/or Socio-Economic Status -
- Technical Preferences -
- Experience Level +
- Neurodivergence +
- Gender identity and/or expression +
- Sexual orientation +
- Disability and/or health +
- Physical appearance (such as skin colour, body size, etc) +
- Nationality, citizenship, ethnic, or social origin +
- Religion/belief (or lack thereof) +
- Pregnancy and/or familial status +
- Veteran status +
- Genetic information +
- Property and/or socio-economic status +
- Technical preferences +
- Experience and/or education level
About Autism
-Autism affects the way people communicate and experience the world around them.
+What is autism?
++ Autism is a life-long neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it involves the brain. + It affects the way people communicate and experience the world. +
++ Autistic brains find processing more difficult than those of non-autistic people. + That can relate to interaction with other humans, physical and emotional stimuli or things like change and uncertainty. + It also means autistic people tend to enjoy the simple reliability of routines and patterns. +
-Autism is a spectrum of developmental conditions, including Asperger’s Syndrome. Every autistic person is different. Some are able to learn, live and work independently, while many have learning differences or co-occurring health conditions that require specialist support.
++ Each autistic person has their own unique set of challenges and strengths. + There’s no fix or cure, but that’s fine because autistic people aren’t broken, just different. + Many can learn, live and work independently, while others have learning disabilities or co-occurring + health conditions that require specialist support. +
"It’s just the way I process the world, it can give me challenges, but it gives me great joy too. I wouldn’t be me without it!"
Rhi, autistic adult
+ +Asperger’s or autism?
++ Some autistic people were diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and + continue to use this name for their condition. Others choose not to call it this because + Hans Asperger, whose work it commemorates, was linked to the Nazi eugenics programme. +
+Is it okay to self-diagnose?
++ Absolutely. Some autistic people are diagnosed by a health professional as children or adults. + Others are self-diagnosed. Not everyone wants, or is able to access, formal diagnosis. + NHS waiting lists are long and private assessment is expensive. +
++ If you live in England, under the right-to-choose pathway, you have a legal right to be + referred for private assessment paid for by the NHS, but this can + still involve a significant wait. + Unfortunately, right-to-choose doesn’t operate elsewhere in the UK. +
About Sensory Processing
-Autistic people often experience the world differently to non-autistic people because of senses working differently. This is not a flaw, it is just a difference. But because so many places have been built by non-autistic people without autistic people in mind, they are often not suitable for us, and may be unpleasant or inaccessible.
-Everyone is different. By collecting together lots of autistic people’s experiences of how they are impacted by their senses, we can change spaces so that they are better for more autistic people.
-Sensory processing refers to the ways that our brains and bodies receive, sort, and respond to our environment using our senses. You might have heard of the five senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste.
-There are more senses than just these five. We also have a sense of our own body, how we are moving it, and where it is in space. This sense is called proprioception. If you catch a ball or touch your nose, you are using proprioception.
- -There are lots of different opinions about how many senses there are. Other senses include: a sense of balance (equilibriocpetion), a sense of hot and cold (thermoception), a sense of your heart beating (cardioception), and a sense of time passing (chromoception).
- -A lot of autistic people (as many as 9/10 autistic people depending on the study) have sensory processing - differences compared to non-autistic people. This means that they might respond to their environments differently. Sometimes this can cause extra challenges and create barriers for autistic peeople compared to non-autistic people when they navigate environments which were not build with autistic people in mind. For example, you might find lights brighter, noises louder, or busy spaces more overwhelming compared to non-autistic people. You may also experience positive differences.
+About sensory processing
+Sensory processing is the way our brains and bodies interpret the world around us using information supplied by our senses.
+Researchers have found that up to nine out of ten autistic people have sensory processing differences to non-autistic people. This can mean their senses are more or less sensitive – or both, at different times – making all sorts of places and situations trickier to negotiate.
+Each autistic person experiences the world differently. Some might struggle to concentrate or become distressed because they can’t ignore sounds others don’t seem to notice.
+Bright lights or strong smells might cause headaches, while direct eye contact and the touch of others, from handshakes to hugs, could feel deeply intrusive. Some might have difficulty recognising when they’re in pain.
+Autistic difference can be an advantage, too, if it means pleasurable sensations are more intense.
++ Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch are not the only senses. Others include: +
-
+
- The sense of your body, its movement and position, known as proprioception; +
- The sense of balance, or equilibrioception; +
- The perception of pain, or nociception; +
- The perception of hot and cold, or thermoception; +
- The sense of time passing, or chromoception. +
+ Any or all of these can be different for autistic people. Sharing stories of how they affect day-to-day life will give decision-makers the information they need to change all sorts of spaces for the better. +
diff --git a/server/apps/users/forms.py b/server/apps/users/forms.py index 180742c7..f6fd4510 100644 --- a/server/apps/users/forms.py +++ b/server/apps/users/forms.py @@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form): "aria-describedby": "help_id_autistic_identification"} ), label="Do you identify as autistic?", - help_text="AutSPACEs is focused on collecting and sharing the voices and lived experiences of autistic people, which is why we require a conscious decision for this question. If you select prefer not to say your experiences will be considered as coming from a non-autistic person, labeled as such and e.g. not used for research.", + help_text="AutSPACEs is focused on collecting and sharing the voices and lived experiences of autistic people, which is why we require a conscious decision for this question. If you select prefer not to say, your experiences will be considered as coming from a non-autistic person, labelled as such and can’t be used for research.", required=True, initial="") autistic_identification.group = 1 @@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form): ), required=False, label="What is your age group?", - help_text="Sharing your age might help researchers understand potential trends across age groups. It can also help readers to better understand your perspective if this data is made public.", + help_text="Sharing your age might help researchers understand potential trends across age groups. It can also help readers understand your perspective if this data is made public.", initial="unspecified") age_bracket.group = 1 @@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form): ), required=False, label="What gender do you identify with?", - help_text="Sharing your gender identity might help researchers understand potential trends across different demographics. It can also help readers to better understand your perspective if this data is made public. You can also choose to self-identify instead of using one of the pre-given options.", + help_text="Sharing your gender identity might help researchers understand potential trends across different demographics. It can also help readers understand your perspective if this data is made public. You can also choose to self-identify instead of using one of the pre-given options.", initial="unspecified") gender.group = 1 @@ -81,13 +81,14 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form): gender_public.group = 1 gender_public.gap = True - description = forms.CharField(label="What else would you like researchers (or readers) to know about yourself?", + description = forms.CharField(label="What else would you like researchers (or readers) to know about you?", max_length=2048, strip=True, required=False, - help_text="""You can provide any additional context about yourself here that you deem - relevant to understanding your perspective and experiences. This could be your ethnicity, - where you grew up, your educational background, or when and how you (self-)diagnosed. - The AutSPACEs team might use this information to refine the structured demographic questions above. - You can also make this information publicly accessible — which might be linked to your public experiences in the future.""", + help_text=""" + You can provide any additional context here that you deem relevant to understanding your perspective and experiences. + This could be your ethnicity, where you grew up, your educational background, or when and how you (self-)diagnosed. + The AutSPACEs team might use this information to refine the structured demographic questions above. + You can also make this information publicly accessible, and it might be linked to your public experiences in the future. + """, widget=forms.Textarea(attrs={"placeholder":"Optionally share more about yourself", "rows":"4", "class":"form-control", @@ -104,15 +105,15 @@ class UserProfileForm(forms.Form): required=False, widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"})) abuse.group = 2 - violence = forms.BooleanField(label = "Violence and Assault", + violence = forms.BooleanField(label = "Violence and assault", required=False, widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"})) violence.group = 2 - drug = forms.BooleanField(label = "Drug and/or Alcohol misuse", + drug = forms.BooleanField(label = "Drug and/or alcohol misuse", required=False, widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"})) drug.group = 2 - mentalhealth = forms.BooleanField(label = "Mental Health Issues", + mentalhealth = forms.BooleanField(label = "Mental health issues", required=False, widget=forms.CheckboxInput(attrs={"class": "form-check-input","type": "checkbox","role": "switch"})) mentalhealth.group = 2 diff --git a/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html b/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html index c32154ac..1453c5ca 100644 --- a/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html +++ b/server/apps/users/templates/users/profile.html @@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ {% define "col-lg-12" as columns %} {% if group.grouper == 1 %} {% define "Your profile" as header %} - {% define "You can chose 'Prefer not to say' for all options and answers are not public by default." as subheader %} + {% define "You can choose 'Prefer not to say' for all options, and answers are not public by default." as subheader %} {% endif %} {% if group.grouper == 2 %} {% define "Sensitive topics" as header %} - {% define "Select which sensitive topics should be visible as your default" as subheader %} + {% define "Select which sensitive topics should be visible as your default." as subheader %} {% define "col-lg-6" as columns %} {% endif %} {% if group.grouper == 3 %} @@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
{{ subheader }}
{% if group.grouper == 2 %}- You can modify these defaults at any time. You can also override the defaults from the View Stories page. + You can modify these defaults at any time. You can also override the defaults from the View stories page.
{% endif %}