October 2021 Toolkit

2021-10-04 | Autism Society

This October, our focus will be on National Disability Employment Awareness Month, employment partners and training models, and Anti-Bullying Month; additionally, we’ll continue emphasizing COVID-19 and transitioning to in-person situation. Our policy policy topics include competitive integrated employment, resources for community inclusion and more.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Employment Partners & Training Models

Companies Making a Difference

Anti-Bullying Month

COVID-19 Resources

Policy Resources

Competitive Integrated Employment: A Toolkit for Professionals and Advocates developed by the Autism Society of American and the Institute for Community Inclusion’s Think Work!
Think Work! Institute for Community Inclusion, UMASS, Boston contains resources and guides for policymakers, practitioners, and individuals looking for work.
U.S. Department of Labor Resources on Competitive Integrated Employment and resources specific to individuals with autism.
Take Action! to help build support for the passage of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act.

The Autism Society’s National Contact Center staff are here to support you and provide you with the resources you need. Our Information & Referral Specialists are available Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Eastern Time) at 800-3-AUTISM (800-328-8476) or info@autism-society.org.

The Autism Society is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all affected by autism. $50 allows the Autism Society to provide an hour of support to our affiliate network to create localized education resources, support, and advocacy to individuals and families affected by autism. If you found this article helpful, please consider supporting our efforts through a donation, every bit helps. Donate here!

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Link to document

Keep Our Students Safe

The Keeping All Students Safe Act (KASSA) has been introduced in both the House and Senate by Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA), and Donald McEachin (D-VA), and Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Patty Murray (D-WA). This bill would make it illegal for any school that receives federal funds to seclude a child or use dangerous restraint practices that restrict breathing, such as prone or supine restraint. KASSA would also prohibit schools from physically restraining children, except when imminent danger of serious injury to students or staff is likely. The bill would also ensure training is provided to all school personnel that is based on evidence-based proactive strategies. This harmful restraint and seclusion practices disproportionately affect students with autism and other disabilities, and/or students of color. According to the 2018 Civil Rights Data Collection, of the students restrained or secluded, 78 percent were students with disabilities. Although Black students comprise 15 percent of the student population, they represent 22 percent of students subjected to seclusion and 34 percent of students subjected to mechanical restraint.

Students with disabilities deserve the opportunity to pursue their education free from the fear of trauma and abuse. Please use this action alert to encourage your members of Congress to pass this important piece of legislation.
National Training for Police and Mental Health Crisis Support

Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Jerry Moran (R-KA) reintroduced the bipartisan Law Enforcement Education and Accountability for People with Disabilities (LEAD) Initiative. This legislation will help bring about racial justice and address the high incidence rate of police violence involving people with autism and other disabilities. The LEAD Initiative consists of two bills – the Safe Interactions Act (SIA) and the Human-services Emergency Logistic Program (HELP) Act. These two bills are also introduced in the House. Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the HELP Act and Representatives Susan Wild (D-PA) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) introduced the SIA Act.
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

The bipartisan Transformation to Competitive Employment Act was reintroduced in the Senate on November 17 by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT). Earlier in the year, this bill was introduced in the House by Reps. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA). See the current list of cosponsors in the House here. It is important that we get as many cosponsors as possible for this bipartisan effort to increase employment opportunities.

Specifically, the bill includes a six-year phase-out of subminimum wage certificates that are currently authorized under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Two grant programs are authorized to support states to help build capacity to provide competitive integrated employment. The bill also creates a technical assistance center to support all state entities to transform systems and to disseminate best practices and lessons learned on the transition from subminimum wage to competitive employment.

Please contact your Representatives and Senators to urge them to co-sponsor the bill. Thank you for supporting employment for people with autism.
URGE STATE LEGISLATORS: Urge them to Use Federal Funding for Autism Services

Congress has passed approximately $3 trillion in federal funding to assist states to deal with the COVID-19 public health crisis. Urge your Governors and State legislators to advocate for some of the money to be used to assist people with autism and other developmental disabilities.