Kevin Healey (autism activist)

Not to be confused with Kevin Healey.
Kevin Healey
Born (1974-05-27) May 27, 1974
Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England
Website Official website

Kevin Healey is an autism activist. He also campaigns against bullying.

Autism activism

In 2001, Healey founded the North Staffordshire Asperger's & Autism Association (NSAAA).[1] In 2007, Healey founded the Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS), which provides support to adults with autism including activities such as outings as well as educational programs and a helpline.[2][3] In 2010, he launched a campaign entitled "It's Time For Change — Stand-up For Autism" which aimed to improve government response to the needs of people with autism and their families in the UK. This campaign attracted support from both members of Parliament and the public, and Healey delivered a petition to the Prime Minister's office signed by 4,000 people in favour of such expanded services and funding.[4] He is also an ambassador, as well as a director and trustee, for the National Autistic Society.[5][6][7]

Healey published an autobiography, Twin Brothers Worlds Apart, ghost written by Elisabeth Hughes, in 2009, sales of which benefit SAAS, his autism charitiy.[3]

Anti-bullying campaign

Healey initiated a anti-bullying campaign in 2014, which is supported by Ricky Gervais, Katie Price, and Keith Duffy.[6][8][9] Healey has been the victim of cyberbullying and harassment on Twitter due to his activism.[10]

Recognition

Healey has won awards including Stoke-On-Trent Citizen of the Year in 2006 and Charity Champion of the year in 2007.[6] He was selected to carry the Olympic torch in Crewe on May 31, 2012.[11] A charity Healey founded, Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS), received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service in 2012.[2] On 22 January 2014, Healey made an appearance on Sky News, speaking about cyber-bullying and his international campaign to make bullying a crime.[12]

Personal life

Diagnosed with autism relatively late, at the age of 27, by professor Simon Baron-Cohen, cousin of Ali G star Sacha Baron Cohen[13] He has a twin brother, Shaun, who also has autism, but is non-verbal.[3][11]

References

  1. ↑ Ault, Richard (2015-06-08). "Autism campaigner Kevin Healey: 'Hate crimes aren't taken seriously enough'". The Sentinel. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Group reaches out to adults who are living with autism". The Sentinel. 2012-07-21. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  3. 1 2 3 Brown, Robert (2010-03-24). "Autism campaigner Kevin Healey seeks to make film". BBC News. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  4. ↑ Walker, Adam (2010-10-07). "Staffordshire autism campaign to meet PM in London". BBC News. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  5. ↑ "Board of Trustees". Autism.org. National Autistic Society. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Reilly, Rachel (2013-05-03). "'Make online bullying illegal': Ricky Gervais and Katie Price back autistic man's campaign to stop trolling of people with special needs | Daily Mail Online". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
  7. ↑ Grant, Katie (20 February 2015). "Twitter 'failing in its moral duty' to protect users from abuse, says leading autism campaigner". The Independent. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "Autism and bullying with Kevin Healey". Talk About Autism. 2013-08-14. Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  9. ↑ "Q & A: Autism and bullying with Kevin Healey, author and autism campaigner". Ambitious About Autism. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  10. ↑ Worgan, Jo (2013-12-31). "Kevin Healey Leading Autism Campaigner Launches Online Petition for Twitter Verification". Autism Daily Newscast. Archived from the original on 2015-04-18. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  11. 1 2 "Autism campaigner to carry Olympic Torch in Crewe". The Nantwich News. 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2015-11-06.
  12. ↑ Chow, Michelle (22 January 2014). "Autism sufferer Kevin Healey appears on Sky News, BBC National News, Channel 5 news to talk about cyber bullying". The Sentinel. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  13. ↑ Healey, Kevin; Hughes, Elisabeth (2008). Twin Brothers Worlds’ Apart. p. 100. ISBN 0955879809.

External links

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