Autism Society of America Hosts Day o...( Advocates Converge on Washington ...),Health

Advocates Converge on Washington, D.C. from Across the Country to Make Their Voices Heard

BETHESDA, Md., March 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Autism Society of America will host its 2008 Day on Capital Hill on March 12 and 13 to increase awareness and understanding of autism issues among federal policymakers. The political spectrum in the United States today directly impacts the autism spectrum, and families affected by autism must be heard in Washington and beyond. A group of passionate autism advocates will be working in our nation's capital during this event, calling on legislators to support legislative priorities, including:

-- Expanding the Promise to Individuals with Autism Act

-- Combating Autism Act Appropriations

-- Educational Issues (IDEA and No Child Left Behind)

-- Insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders

-- Medicaid

-- Rehabilitation Act

-- Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Right and Assistance Act

-- Disability Savings Accounts

"One of the mainstays of ASA is our commitment to advocacy," said President and CEO Lee Grossman. "There is a critical need for increasing and improving services for individuals with autism across the lifespan. An event like Day on the Hill gives autism advocates across the country an opportunity to come to D.C. and address these important issues."

Day on the Hill also coincides with the second meeting of the re-formed Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) on March 14. ASA is encouraging all attendees to attend this public meeting, in the hopes of encouraging the committee to explore more applied and treatment-based research. IACC was originally established by the Children's Health Act of 2000, and was re-authorized by the Combating Autism Act of 2006 to coordinate federal research on autism spectrum disorders. Grossman and ASA board member Stephen Shore are both members of the committee.

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