Background:The Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act represents a landmark in coordinated federal efforts to address the increasing prevalence of Autism. The Autism CARES Act authorizes critical research, surveillance, training...

The Lifespan Respite Care Program is a critical program for families and caregivers. The program was first enacted in 2006 to authorize coordinated state systems to provide accessible, community-based respite care services. Respite supports family caregivers of children and...

​​The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Full Act (HR 4519/ S 2217) provides a glide path to fully fund IDEA. IDEA authorizes covering 40 percent of the additional cost states pay associated with special education. However, In FY23, Congress funded 12%...

On January 31st, Reps. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) reintroduced the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act. The bill modernizes and improves SSI by streamlining the claiming process, increasing asset limits,...

In January, Representative Valado (CA-22) introduced the Eliminating Marriage Penalty in SSI Act (EMPSA) alongside five original sponsors- Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6), LisaBlunt Rochester (D-DE), Mike Lawler (R-NY-97), and Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19). This bill would amend the Social...

In December, Senator Shaheen (D-NH) and Senator Braun (R-IN) introduced the Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act (S. 3528). This bill would establish the position of Coordinator for Disabled Small Business Concerns within the SBA, who would enhance support for disabled...

In October, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Relief Act and 20 other Democrats. Representative Debbie Dingell introduced the companion bill in the House. This bill would provide 30 billion dollars over two years to provide...

Senators Wyden (D-OR), Brown (D-OH), and Cassidy (R-LA) reintroduced the bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. In the House, Representatives Higgens (D-NY) and Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced a companion bill (S. 2767/ H.R. 5408). This bill would update SSI asset...

The Coalition for Autism Research and Education (“CARE” or “Autism Caucus”), the first-ever Congressional Membership Organization dedicated to autism advocacy on Capitol Hill, was founded in 2006 and is co-chaired by Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX)  and...

In July, Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) and Ann Kuster (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act (H.R. 4550). On the senate side, this bill (S.3681) was just introduced on January 30th by Senator Edward Markey (D-MA). This...

Senator Casey (D-PA) has reintroduced S.2904/H.R.5705 the Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centers to Establish National Training (AACCENT) Act. This bill would establish three national resource centers coordinated to improve access to AAC information, tools, and...

On February 27, 2023, the bipartisan Transformation to Competitive Employment Act was reintroduced in the Senate by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT). The House also introduced the bill with the sponsors being Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Cathy...

On Wednesday, April 26th, Senator Kaine reintroduced the Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act (S. 1298), a bill that would authorize grant funds through the Administration on Community Living to support the recruitment, training, and retention of...

Many college students with disabilities are denied the support they need because their IEPs or 504 Plans are not accepted as proof of their disability. The Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act addresses this problem by amending the Higher Education Opportunity...

On January 26, Senator Casey (D-PA) re-introduced the Better Care Better Jobs Act (S. 100) in the new Congress. The bill, strongly supported by the Autism Society, is cosponsored by Senators Wyden (D-OR), Duckworth (D-IL), Hassan (D-NH), and Brown (D-OH). The bill...

People with Autism rely on the services of direct support professionals (DSPs) in order to live and work in their homes and communities. However, low wages due to stagnant reimbursement rates have led to high turnover and vacancy rates in the DSP workforce. The loss of DSPs...

On April 27th, on World Autism Day, Representatives Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.) reintroduced the bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act. An identical bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Bob...