Over 900 people were in Washington, D.C., last week to talk about disability issues and educate Congress for the 2019 Disability Policy Seminar. AUCD is grateful for those of you who were here in person, and those of you who participated virtually.
Action Steps: • Follow up from your Hill visit or virtual Hill visit by sending a thank you email to the staff you connected with. If you need help finding their email contact [email protected]. Feel free to share the following as links or attachments to your thank you email.
All members of Congress are on a District Work Period (April 12-26). This is not a vacation; members will be in their home districts to connect with constituents like you. This is an important time to advocate locally on the issues you care about most.
Action Steps:
Use this Congressional recess to connect with your member of Congress face-to-face
Ask for a constituent meeting
Attend a public event
Budget
Congress is beginning the budget and appropriations process for Fiscal Year 2020, which starts October 1, 2019. House leaders have not yet moved a bill to set federal spending limits. Hearing directly from constituents about why and how program funding impacts their district is the most important way to impact appropriations or how much money programs receive.
Action Step: Educate the Congressional Delegation of your state or territory about requested appropriations to support the programs you care about. Simply email sharing AUCD's language and ask.
The Autism CARES Act - which has expanded research and coordination, increased public awareness and surveillance, and expanded interdisciplinary health professional training, including LENDs, to identify and support children and youth with Autism and their families - will sunset (expire) in September 2019 without a successful reauthorization. Bills to reauthorize the Act have been introduced and need co-sponsors (HR. 1058, S. 427). Currently 14 Senators and 48 Representatives have joined as co-sponsors.
Moving the bill before expiration in September will require action. Congressmen and Co-Sponsors Smith and Doyle have requested that the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Acceptance Month.
Action Steps:
This week contact your Representative (202-224-3121) and ask them to support the request that the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Acceptance Month.
Sample Script: "I am [Name] from [State]. I have seen the impact of Autism CARES and the lives changed because of this important legislation. I urge you to ask the Energy & Commerce Committee consider H.R. 1058 in April during Autism Acceptance Month. Thank you
Contact your Congressional delegation and make sure they are engaged in the reauthorization.
Invite your Congressmembers to be a co-sponsor of Autism CARES or thank them for their involvement.
ABLE Age Adjustment
ABLE accounts enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses. To establish an account, an individual must have a qualifying impairment that began before the individual attained the age threshold. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 651 and H.R. 1814) increases from 26 to 46 the age for ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts.
Call your Senators and Representative: Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or (202) 224-3091 (TTY) and ask for their support and co-sponsorship.
Campaign 2020
The following notable candidates have filed to run for president with the Federal Election Commission or announced exploratory committees. Your voice is needed to ensure that disability policy is part of the campaign.
Action Steps:
For candidates who are currently in office, share and elevate their position on key disability legislation as noted below. Tip: You can and should ask them to support bills of importance.
Check out the campaign website of each candidate (links below); use the sites to ask questions about disability policy.
Eric Swalwell (D), U.S. Representative from California
Tuesdays with Liz: Congressman Chris Smith Discusses Autism CARES Act
Liz sits down with Congressman Chris Smith to discuss what the Autism CARES Act does, and why it is important that Congress re-authorize funding for CARES by September 2019.
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
