Major Recent Events
Autism: President Signs Autism CARES Act
On September 30, President Trump signed into law the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2019 (H.R.1058). The Arc strongly supports this bill to reauthorize the Autism CARES Act, which funds critical autism research, surveillance, and education programs at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This reauthorization includes a greater focus on the needs of people with autism and other developmental disabilities across the lifespan. It also increases the minimum number of self-advocates on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC). The law was reauthorized for five years.
Announcements
Education: NCEO Releases Report on State-Defined Alternate Diplomas
The National Center on Education Outcomes released a report titled “Status of State-Defined Alternate Diplomas in 2018-19.” State-defined alternate diplomas were established in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 as the only credential other than a regular high school diploma that can be included in calculating graduation rates. State-defined alternate diplomas may only be made available to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who take the alternate assessment aligned to alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAS). The report found that eight states (AR, LA, MS, NV, NH, TN, UT, and WV) currently have alternate diplomas for students with significant cognitive disabilities. It also found that these states are clearly defining the requirements for earning the diploma, but they are not providing informational resources that help educators implement the requirements or that help families decide whether to pursue the option. Among other things, the authors recommend states report on the number of students pursuing the alternate diploma, receiving the alternate diploma, and their post-school outcomes.
Miscellaneous News: Only 4 More Days to Register for The Arc’s National Convention on October 11-14.
Are you ready to join advocates from all over the country at The Arc’s 2019 National Convention in Washington, DC? Whether you’re a professional looking to develop skills, a person with I/DD or family member trying to expand your advocacy and support network, or an ally interested in getting more involved in the disability community, we have a program that will speak to you! You’ll connect with other passionate advocates from across the country and learn how to navigate and work to improve employment, education, housing, technology, criminal justice, and more. Register online today or on-site starting Friday, October 11.Due to The Arc’s National Convention, Capitol Insider will not be published next week. Publication will resume on October 21, 2019.