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Congressional Schedule
Congress is currently on August recess.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, signed into law by President Obama on July 22, reauthorizes programs that had been previously authorized under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), as well as programs under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act). The Act makes important revisions to provide more opportunities for people with disabilities obtain and retain competitive integrated employment. Lead disability staff of Senator Harkin will be joining AUCD staff on a webinar to educate association network members about these improvements. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act: What's In It for People with Disabilities and the AUCD Network will be held this Wednesday, August 20.
John Tschida, Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), sent a letter to colleagues regarding its work going forward and plans as they transition from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services as mandated by the WIOA.
Autism CARES Act
On Friday, August 8, President Obama signed the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act or "Autism CARES Act" into law. This Act reauthorizes the Combating Autism Act for five years and makes minor improvements. The White House published a blog post which specifically mentions the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program. An updated summary and short blog post written by AUCD's Kim Musheno are available on AUCD's website.
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
According to Hill staff, Senate Majority Leader Reid hopes to bring the treaty to the floor for a vote before the end of this session of Congress. AUCD helped to organize and participate in targeted statewide calls to rally support to ensure successful ratification. AUCD also sent out a list of town hall meetings and other events for members to attend and share their support for the treaty. To learn more, visit www.disabilitytreaty.org.
Military Health Care
AUCD is organizing Hill visits with key Members of Congress to gain additional co-sponsors for the Caring for Military Children with Developmental Disabilities Act (S. 2333), a bill introduced by Senators Murray (D-WA), Gillibrand (D-NY), Rubio (R-FL), and Blunt (R-MO). The bill will improve access to behavioral health therapy for children with developmental disabilities, including autism. AUCD network members are encouraged to educate their Members about the need for all children to get the behavioral health services they need. For more information about how to help, see AUCD's action center.
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Follow our Executive Director @AndyAUCD and policy staff @kmusheno and @racheljpat
For definitions of terms used in In Brief, please see AUCD's Glossary of Legislative Terms.
For copies of this and previous issues of Legislative News In Brief please visit the Public Policy Page of the AUCD website: http://www.aucd.org/template/page.cfm?id=164
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