Public Policy

AUCD, a leading national disability organization that has a direct impact at the local, state, national, and international levels to advance policy and practice. Current national legislation and advocacy activities have significant impacts on the nature and extent of services and supports for persons with disabilities and their families at the state and local level.

Connect with AUCD's policy activities

AUCD Policy Initiatives

AUCD is committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in the following areas:

Developmental Disability Act: The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (DD Act) is the fundamental law supporting and enhancing the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Autism CARES Act: The Autism CARES Act 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.

Civil Rights: The history of living with a disability in the United States has largely been one of discrimination, segregation and exclusion - from education, work, housing, and even from routine daily activities. Every person regardless of ability should be able to participate fully in their community, and not experience discrimination on the basis of their disability.

Education: Students with disabilities face many challenges in obtaining a quality education. While there have been some significant legislative victories, there are still many barriers to receiving a proper education - resulting in students leaving school unprepared for adult life in the community.

Employment: For most people, work provides a pathway to engage in our society's economic and social institutions; however, employment of people with disabilities continues to lag significantly behind those without disabilities.

Healthcare: People with disabilities need universal access to high quality, affordable health care. While progress has been made, there is more work to be done to improve health care access and outcomes for people with disabilities.

Social Security: The non-retirement components of Social Security were created almost fifty years ago to address the needs of people with disabilities and their families. These programs were developed at a time when it was thought that individuals with disabilities could not work nor live independently.

Budget and Appropriations: The nation's budget priorities must include funding for programs that promote the independence and self-determination of people with disabilities. Federal and state revenue must be sufficient to fund the programs that people with disabilities rely on to be healthy participants in work, school, and their community.