Courtney Johnson

Live-streaming the final days of Rome is exhausting.

May our words turn to action, moving forward with accessibility and inclusion - and never going back.

A still image from the meeting’s livestream, with an on-screen caption that says “Presentation of a Proclamation, recognizing July 26, 2025 as ADA 35th Anniversary Day. In the background are city commission members, and the mayor is standing while reading the proclamation. A person in a wheelchair is next to him and listening.

A person in a wheelchair, sitting in front of a brick wall. They’re holding the signed proclamation document.

A person in a wheelchair holding a communication device, while the mayor holds up a microphone to its speaker

This Saturday marks the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act!

I was grateful to attend the city commission meeting last week, as we celebrated a mayoral proclamation to honor the accomplishments and inherent worth of all individuals with disabilities.

#ADA35 #DisabilityPride

“Dire Threat” I’ve spent most of the past few months in a bit of burnout, so I’ve not been as active as usual. Add in the possible final days of Rome over here, and I have been a little bit overwhelmed. Autism A…

“Autistic lives are worth living. No administration can ever change this.

We have always been here - and we are not going away.”

justkeepstimming.com/2025/04/17/d...

#Autism #Disability

Thank you to @autisticadvocacy.org, my local legislator, and the state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities for helping make sure those we’ve lost in our community will not be forgotten.

And may our actions begin to reflect our words, affirming that disabled lives are indeed worth living.

Hearing each name formally read out loud and recognized within the state capitol was something I never anticipated.

Our community fights hard to make sure that the victims are not forgotten, and it’s comforting to know that their names are now forever etched into the echoes of the capitol walls.

Being on the floor for the ceremony was surreal - and honestly a little cathartic.

I’ve been the site coordinator for East Tennessee’s Disability Day of Mourning vigils since 2018, and it’s hard watching the list grow each year. And after the loss of my little brother, it became deeply personal.

Screenshot of a video feed from a state legislative session. There is a group of people in front of several desks/podiums within the TN House of Representatives chamber. They’re waiting for their photo to be taken. During this time, I am holding my AAC device and a small resin heart that contains my brother’s ashes.

This past Thursday, Tennessee’s House of Representatives recognized the #Disability Day of Mourning on the floor.

A resolution was passed to honor disabled victims of filicide, with their names now in written legislation - along with many we’ve lost who remain unknown and unnamed.

Tonight is the Disability Day of Mourning, to honor disabled victims of filicide. Our local vigil will be virtual and begins at 6pm EST.
www.facebook.com/share/1NX8Fx...

#DDoM2025

❤️

Glad to see you here, my dear. 🥰

Yay! It’s a wonderful program.

A tuxedo tabby is peeking out from underneath a bed, and is surrounded by a green and white blanket. His eyes are wide and he’s about to choose chaos.

Sheridan has been trying to reach you regarding your car’s extended warranty.

Square Canva graphic with a white background. Block text in alternating lines of black and red reads, "Presuming competence does not mean all nonspeakers are secretly geniuses. It means that we treat everyone as human—and specifically people with intellectual disability." Smaller text underneath reads, "tinyurl.com/DangerousAssumptions" and "@ThinkingAutism"

Presuming competence does not mean all nonspeakers are secretly geniuses. It means we treat everyone as human—specifically people who really do have intellectual disabilities, & who really do need extensive support. From Julia Bascom's Dangerous Assumptions:

thinkingautismguide.com/2019/06/dang...

FDA Under Pressure To Finalize Ban On Shock Devices For People With Developmental Disabilities With the White House set to change hands, advocates are calling on the FDA to finalize a ban on the use of devices that administer electric shocks to address behavior issues in those with disabilities...

Kids with disabilities are STILL being punished with painful electrical shock devices the UN classifies as torture.

@fda.gov must finalize the rule to #StopTheShock.

NOW.

www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/12/09/f...

The Right to Make Choices: International Laws and Decision-Making by People with Disabilities - Autistic Self Advocacy Network Are you a person with a disability? Do you have a right to make choices in your life? Are you under guardianship? Does your guardian make choices for you that you don’t want? Do you have the supports…

Looking for alternatives to guardianship? Consider supported decision making!

I get confused with @juststimming.bsky.social a lot, so friendly reminder that we are indeed two different people!

(Also: if you’re not following Julia, you should!)

Yeah, sorry about that! Two different people; younger me wasn’t quite familiar with the online spaces and didn’t realize the similarities at the time. Oops!

BIG NEWS: Illinois is the latest state to end 14c & sheltered workshops with the passage of the Dignity in Pay Act!

This groundbreaking legislation will ensure fair wages and greater employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Thanks for the heads up! Blocked. 🎉

A photo from the pre-wheelchair days – a person holding onto a cane, standing in the doorway of a blue police box. They’re dressed as the Fourth Doctor, complete with a long knit scarf. Next to them is a grey alien called a dalek.

Happy #DoctorWho day to all that celebrate. 🎉

Wrote this last year, but sharing for the 61st anniversary today:

justkeepstimming.com/2023/11/23/c...

Struggling to complete a task is not a moral failing.

Sometimes, you just need an increase in store-bought neurotransmitters.

And maybe a nice snack.

Between 18 months and 2 years I hope to have a service dog ready to be placed with me! This will make a big difference for me.

Any donations, or shares, in order to help fund the training of my future service dog are appreciated.

givebutter.com/nhEnw1

#MutualAid #DisabilityCrowdFund #HelpSky

My favorite thing about getting a new planner for next year is the illusion that I actually have my life together.

Do I? Absolutely not.

Will planner stickers fix it? Probably not, but at least I have stickers.

large group photo of Little Lobbyists families smiling -- parents/caregivers and children -- wearing matching shits and looking at the camera

Hello friends, new and old! 👋

Thread to (re)introduce ourselves! 🤗 We are Little Lobbyists, a family-led group advocating for our children with complex medical needs and disabilities. We want our disabled kids to survive and thrive with access to health care, education, and community inclusion.

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In addition to advocacy and policymaking things, I also enjoy music and crafts. Embroidery is the current go-to for crafting.

I love science fiction (Doctor Who and Babylon 5 especially), airports/commercial aviation, and cats in general.

Also: afternoon naps are the best. ✨

I also have support staff who help me significantly, for which I’m very grateful.

I've been engaged to my best friend since 2016. He lives in the UK but visits when he can.

I also have two cats, Leia and Sheridan. They're very loving, and know how to both sit and high-five.

I'm also an autistic adult with multiple disabilities, including traumatic brain injury and aphasia. Because of this, I primarily use a
communication device instead of speech.

Augmentative and alternative communication ( #AAC ) is something you'll probably see a lot here.

I graduated from Tennessee’s Partners in Policymaking program in 2021, and love getting involved in public policy and discussion. Writing Op-Eds, meeting with legislators, and drafting bills is weirdly something I enjoy.

(I blame Youth Legislature as a kid.)

Just Keep Stimming! Musings of an autistic adult

Hi friends! Welcome.
Expect disability advocacy, policy, cats, and more. 🎉

I run the website
JustKeepStimming.com, where I compile resources and write about #autism and #disability.

I also do presentations, guest lectures, and serve on my state’s Council on Developmental Disabilities.