Public Policy
New in Policy
1/14/2019
UM Law Students Research Disability Access at Vacation Rentals (MT UCEDD)
The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in 1990, protects people with disabilities against discrimination in employment settings, state and local government services, and public-serving businesses. As vacation rental properties such as Airbnb and VRBO grow in demand and straddle the line between private residences and public business, how or if ADA applies was - until recently - somewhat unclear. Law students at the University of Montana set out to provide some answers to this and other ADA questions.
1/8/2019
Tuesdays with Liz: Welcome to the 116th United States Congress!
With the 116th Congress in session as of January 3, 2019, Liz wants YOU to know there is no reason to be scared of contacting your Congressperson! Here, she reminds you to feel comfortable about sharing your story and advocating yourself, and how you can contact your Congressperson.
1/4/2019
New Encyclopedia Announcement: "Disability in American Life: An Encyclopedia of Concepts, Policies, and Controversies." (IL UCEDD/LEND)
This encyclopedia is edited by Illinois UCEDD faculty Tamar Heller, Sarah Parker Harris, Carol Gill, and Rob Gould. This exciting new publication includes entries by faculty and trainees throughout the network as well as other noted scholars in disabilities across many disciplines. The forward to the encyclopedia was written by AUCD Executive Director Andy Imparato. Once primarily thought of as a medical issue, disability is now more widely recognized as a critical issue of identity, personhood, and social justice.
12/21/2018
Michigan Development Disabilities Institute (UCEDD-MI) Awarded Nearly $1 Million Grant from Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Awards will support older adult caregiver programs
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund has awarded nearly $1 million to two Wayne State University programs that protect and enhance the well-being of our area's older adults and caregivers. The Health Fund granted $413,903 to Dr. Peter Lichtenberg's program, SAFE: Caregiver Empowerment, and $500,000 to the Michigan Development Disabilities Institute (MI-DDI) for its program, Michigan Older Caregivers of Emerging Adults with Autism and other Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MI-OCEAN) Family Support Project.
12/18/2018
Tuesdays with Liz: Fav Five of 2018
Happy Holidays from Liz and AUCD! Join us as Liz shares her favorite five Tuesdays with Liz of 2018.
AUCD Policy Publications
About the Autism CARES Act
Fact Sheet for 2019 Reauthorization
If Congress does not take action to reauthorize funding, available funds for LEND and other initiatives funded under the Autism CARES Act will expire in September 2019. This would eliminate interdisciplinary diagnostic services for hundreds of thousands of children, training training tens of thousands of graduate students, and important research being conducted around the nation.
State Level Policy Advocacy 101
Advocating for inclusive disability policy at the state and local levels is a great way to make positive change in your community. However, all advocacy is not created equal. It is important to advocate in the most useful, impactful way possible and in a way that will create change. This page will help guide you through things to consider when taking part in effective advocacy.
Tuesdays With Liz Flyer
This one-page printable flyer for the AUCD "Tuesdays with Liz" YouTube show is intended for sharing on bulletin boards, in handouts, and anywhere people gather who would benefit from learning more about disability policy in a short, user-friendly format.
Resources
4/19/2018
2018 Congressional Autism Caucus
Learn about the members of the Autism Caucus, which was founded by Representatives Mike Doyle (PA) and Chris Smith (NJ) who also Co-Chair the Coalition for Autism Research and Education ("CARE" or "Autism Caucus"), the first-ever Congressional Membership Organization dedicated to autism advocacy on Capitol Hill.
9/15/2017
AUCD Summary of the Senate Appropriations Committee
L-HHS-ED Bill for FY 2018
On September 7, the Senate Appropriations Committee completed its mark-up of the FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill and voted to report out the bill by a vote of 31-1 with Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla) casting the sole "nay" vote. The House Appropriations Committee completed its work on July 19 (see links to bill and summary). Attached is a summary of how the bill impacts the AUCD network and other priorities of the disability community, along with a detailed table comparing the House and Senate bills with the President�s budget and FY 2017.
7/13/2017
Improving Access to Higher Education Act
A bill summary and fact sheet are available for the Improving Access to Higher Education Act, which would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) to improve college access and completion for students with disabilities.
Shutdown Continues, MFP, 2020 Candidates
