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Advocacy

Your Story Matters! We strive to unify the voice of the autism Community.

For over 50 years, the Autism Society of Northern Virginia has led the way, advocating at the local, state, and national levels in collaboration efforts to improve the quality of life for all in the disability community. We provide free education programs and many forms of support for those on the spectrum to enjoy a lifetime of dignity and respect while making meaningful connections within our community and beyond. We cannot do these things without you. Thank you for being that connection!

Our advocacy work includes:

A large audience sitting listening to 6 speakers at a table in front of the room.

  • Disability Candidate Forums

  • Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day in Richmond

  • Autism Advocacy Day in Richmond

  • Autism Society Day on the Hill

  • Townhalls in person and virtual

  • Budget hearings

  • Rally’s

  • Introduction at House/Senate

  • Legislator calls, texts

  • Virtual and in person testimony

  • Advocacy training

  • Advocacy alerts

Know our 2024 State Legislative Priorities

We are dedicated to educating policy makers on current priorities that impact our local autism community. We are proud to represent a very diverse community of individuals across the entire autism spectrum and their families, and we strive to empower individuals with autism and their families to advocate for the best possible services and support structures for themselves and/or their loved ones.

 

ASNV partners with several fellow advocacy organizations across Virginia, including the Arc of Northern Virginia, the Arc of Virginia, Virginia Autism Project (VAP), Commonwealth Autism Services, Didlake, Autism Societies of Central & Tidewater, and many others. We strive to unify the voice of the autism community and integrate legislation in a coordinated manner.

 

What an incredible and historic year! After 25 years of advocacy from this amazing community (all of you) funding for Priority One has become a Reality. While we know there are thousands of people in priorities two and three—this first step of getting services now for 3440 people is our only way forward to building a functioning system that can meet the needs of our entire community. A big “thank you” to our Governor who put this in his budget, to the House and Senate that kept it in the budget, to the Legislators who made this happen and to all the advocates with their numerous trips to Richmond, emails and calls. This only happened because all of you stood up, showed up and made your voices heard. As we look forward, we know we aren’t done, but right now, we will celebrate together and take pride in a job well done.

The D.C. Capital with a large group of professionals standing for a pose.

 2024 Legislative Priorities 

General: Advocate for increased access to high-quality services for adults with autism, including caregivers, housing, day support, employment support, case management, Criminal Justice System education and protection, and more.

Developmental Disability (DD) Medicaid Waiver Services

  • Eliminate the Priority 1 Waiting List: Fund the 3440 slots in the Governor’s introduced Budget.  PASSED

  • Increase provider capacity to meet the demand for services: Fund a series initiative that will build the capacity of providers to serve existing and newly funded DD Waiver Slots.

  • Advocate for increased access to high-quality services for adults with autism, including caregivers, housing, day support, employment support, case management, and more.

  • Ensure all Virginia children diagnosed with autism have access to a quality education in the appropriate setting with the support services they need.

 

SSDI Income Disregard to Protect Waiver Service Eligibility:

  • Current monthly income cannot exceed $2,829/mo to remain on Medicaid & access the Waiver. This disincentives people from working, especially if they are receiving SSI &/or SSDI Benefits. Disregard Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) income when calculating and individual’s financial eligibility for a waiver. PASSED

Additional Priorities:

  • Re-establish Virginia’s Autism Advisory Council to promote coordination of services among agencies involved in the delivery of services to Virginians with autism and to increase public awareness of such services.   PASSED

  • Allow curbside voting for all people with disabilities who need this accommodation.  PASSED

  • Ensure the ability to attend government meetings, vote, & count towards quorum for people with disabilities and family caregivers.   PASSED

  • Establish autism related training requirements for law enforcement officers to enhance interactions and mitigate misunderstandings. PASSED

  • Retention of Waiver Slots- In response to the ongoing provider shortage, allow individuals struggling to find services to retain their waiver slot for up to one year. PASSED

  • Legally Responsible Individuals- Protects families by ensuring the regulations regarding their ability to provide care for their children is reasonable & appropriate. PASSED

 

State Politics:

  • This year’s General Assembly Session adjourned on March 9, 2024, having passed over 2,200 bills. Many of the bills that will impact our community are still awaiting final approval from the Governor, who must sign, veto, or amend them by April 8th. April 17th Legislation reconvenes to handle vetoes or amendments.

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Stay informed of ASNV news, events, and programs by subscribing to our email list below! ASNV sends out newsletters on a monthly basis, and occasionally sends other important monthly updates. Subscribers should only receive an average of 2 emails per month. Subscribing to the ASNV email list guarantees that you will be the first to hear about and sign up for our upcoming ASNV programs and events!

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