The Art of Autism believes it is important for autistic people and their families to participate in disability rights. Disability Rights are Civil Rights.
Here are some links:
Townhall Meetings – Attend a Townhall
What to Say – “My name is [Your Name] and I am a constituent of [Representative/Senator] [Name]. I would like to meet with the [Representative/Senator] or their staff during the upcoming Congressional recess, to talk about [name one or two issues that matter to you]. Can we set up a time?”
Click here to read the article titled Election Day Equality: Access is Crucial for People with Disabilities.
More information on voting for autistic people can be found here:
ASAN: Breaking Down Barriers to Voting
The Arc: Eliminating Barriers and Supporting People with I/DD to Vote.
Check out your voting place – Iwillvote.com
Here are some concerns that are ongoing.
The elimination of the Affordable Care Act. Many people with disabilities are on the Affordable Care Act. Americans with intellectual and developmental disabilities rely on their health coverage to maintain their independence and meet their medical needs. With or without a replacement, these individuals may find themselves unable to afford much higher premiums and unable to afford health care. This could eliminate health care for over 20 million in the United States. Read the ARC’s position here.
Medicare is not Bankrupt. The 2019 report of Medicare’s trustees finds that Medicare’s Hospital Insurance (HI) trust fund will remain solvent — that is, able to pay 100 percent of the costs of the hospital insurance coverage that Medicare provides — through 2026. Even in 2026, when the HI trust fund is projected to be depleted, incoming payroll taxes and other revenue will still be sufficient to pay 89 percent of Medicare hospital insurance costs.[1] The share of costs covered by dedicated revenues will decline slowly to 78 percent in 2043 and then rise gradually to 83 percent by 2093.