AUCD Legislative News In Brief
August 31, 2009
Congressional Schedule
Capitol Hill is quiet for August recess. Both chambers will reconvene for legislative business on Tuesday, September 8. Outside the beltway health care reform continues to be the hot topic at town hall meetings and other political gatherings. AUCD has posted several fact sheets analyzing how the congressional proposals would impact people with disabilities. AUCD also has an action alert on health and long term care with a sample letter. We hope that network members will take a moment to write, call, or meet with Members of Congress to help educate them about how health care reform will help people with disabilities and the network.
Senator Edward Kennedy
AUCD joined with the disability community and the nation in mourning the passing of Senator Kennedy (D-MA) last week. Senator Kennedy served for 46 years in the Senate. Over the course of his Congressional career, he played a key role in every major law that positively impacts people with developmental and other disabilities that now serve as the foundation of disability rights and national disability policy. A website has been created by the committee for a Democratic Majority to share your memories and sympathies with the Senator's family at www.tedkennedy.org.
Education/ANPRM
AUCD is preparing comments regarding the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the Higher Education Act (HEA). The Department of Education has requested input on a number of programs that impact individuals with disabilities in postsecondary settings. A copy of the ANPRM can be found on the Department website and proposed comments for the AUCD document are due September 2, 2009 to [email protected].
Department of Education Race to the Top Funding
The Education Task Force of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) submitted comments on proposed rules regarding criteria to be used by the Department of Education to provide grants on a competitive basis to states via the Race to the Top funding. Nearly $5 billion was authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to increase academic achievement in schools nationwide. Comments were made on issues such as the use of a student's Individual Education Program (IEP) as a measure of student progress, charter school participation, effectiveness of school teachers and administrators and the use of universal design for learning (UDL). The full comments will be posted on the CCD website.
AUCD Policy Fellowship
AUCD is seeking applicants for the policy fellowship, a yearlong opportunity for LEND trainees or mid-level career network members to contribute to the field of disability policy at the national level. Activities include but are not limited to policy and legislative development, advocacy, program development, technical assistance, and association administration. A full description and application instructions are located on the AUCD website. Applications are currently being accepted. The position will be open until filled.
