Day on the Hill 2018: Advocacy Update


From July 9-12, 2018, staff and a board member from Autism Society of Texas attended the Autism Society of America’s 50th Annual Conference in Bethesda, Maryland, with a day of advocacy on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Autism Society affiliates from all over the country were educated on a number of topics affecting adults and children with autism.

The Autism Society of America encouraged the need for bipartisan support on key legislative priorities including Health Care and Home and Community Based Supports, the Autism CARES Act reauthorization, Education including fully funding IDEA, and Higher Education initiatives that would support adults with autism. We also advocated on the topic of Employment Issues including the need for businesses to hire adults with autism, supported employment, and the request for those with disabilities, including autism, to receive minimum wage or higher.

Autism Society of Texas joined with other attendees from around the state to meet with our elected officials about the needs of those impacted by autism. We had meetings with staff from Senator John Cornyn & Senator Ted Cruz’s office, as well as staff members from the offices of Congressmen Beto O’Rourke, Congressman John Carter, Congressmen Sam Johnson, and had a chance to speak with Congressman Lloyd Doggett and his staff.

For questions or more information about legislative priorities, please contact Jacquie@texasautismsociety.org.