Members of Congress are setting their spending priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 21. AUCD encourages individuals to educate your congressional delegations about our appropriation requests.
Plain Language:
Members of Congress are planning the budget for the government.
What this means to you:
Many programs that impact the disability community and your centers receive federal funding impacted by the President's budget and priorities.
The Prescription Drug Pricing Reduction Act of 2019 (S.2543), introduced by Senators Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), has received support from Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) in recent weeks, bringing the total to 12 announced GOP senators supporting the bill. Sen Grassley said last week he thinks he needs 25 to convince Sen. McConnell to allow a vote.
Plain Language:
The Senate is getting closer to voting on a bill to try to make medications cost less.
What this means to you:
Drug pricing impacts many people with disabilities, so making sure that changes will meet needs is critical. In addition, if this legislation moves it will likely have other priorities of the disability community attached to its passage, most notably a long-awaited permanent expansion of Money Follows the Person.
Contact your Senators to share what is important to you about drug pricing reform
Campaign 2020
As we approach Super Tuesday (March 3rd), when 15 states hold their presidential primaries, Presidential candidates have been releasing various policy plans that impact the disability community. Some have specific disability plans, while others have disability embedded throughout other plans. Stay informed with each. What's in it? What's not? What could this mean to you?
Thirty-six (36) of 100 Senate seats are up in 2020 - a mix of standard cycles and special elections. All House of Representatives seats are up, with at least 36 members not seeking reelection. Now is the time to get ready to vote! Here are things to do:
AUCD's state and territory factsheets have been updated for 2020. They include information about our centers and data about disability in your state or territory. These sheets are helpful to educate partners, policymakers and candidates about the needs of the disability community.
Plain Language:
We have new factsheets that you can print and share to educate and advocate.
What this means to you:
Each year we update our state profiles so that you have a tool to share.
Check out AUCD's new policy resource, a one-page fact sheet to help explain AUCD's policy efforts, and engage with us today!
AUCD Disability Policy Fellowship
Applications are open for the full year (June 2020-May 2021) AUCD Disability Policy Fellowship. Persons with disabilities or family members, and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Tuesdays With Liz
Disability Policy Seminar
If there's one thing we can't tell you enough, it's that your voice matters! One way to practice using your voice and being a leader is at the annual Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) every spring in Washington, D.C.
2019-2020 AUCD Policy Fellow Sarah Mueller explains what goes on at DPS and how to prepare for it.
Learn more about DPS at https://www.aucd.org/template/event.cfm?event_id=8598&id=379&parent=379.
A network of interdisciplinary centers advancing policy and practice for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities.
nd Appropriations
Prescription Drug Pricing 
Campaign 2020
Disability Policy Seminar
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