Sen. Durbin’s speech on hiring workers with autism and other disabilities

Posted by Beth Finke on August 27th, 2009

On World Autism Day this year (April 2), Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), introduced a bill that would increase vocational opportunities for people on the autism spectrum. The bill, called the Autism Treatment Acceleration Act, would fund programs to test new ways to provide vocational …Read More » »

In memory of Senator Kennedy

Posted by Katy Beh Neas on August 26th, 2009

Today, one of our greatest (if not the greatest) champions died. I’ve had the honor of working with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) for the past 25 years. He was always the one who would step up and fight the good fight to protect the interests of people with disabilities and their families.The struggle for equal opportunity for Americans with disabilities …Read More » »

Will health care reform affect Medicaid?

Posted by Katy Beh Neas on August 18th, 2009

It came as no surprise to those of us here at Easter Seals to hear the very first question at President Obama’s health care town meeting in Montana last Friday. It came from a woman who has a son with autism — she is worried about her son’s health care.

I’m an MSU student. I have a son that suffers …Read More » »

High hopes for Sotomayor

Posted by Beth Finke on August 11th, 2009

Remember the post I wrote about the Autism Society of America endorsing Sonia Sotomayor?

The Autism Society of America, along with dozens of other disability groups, signed a letter supporting Sotomayor’s confirmation. The letter was sent to Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

I’m sure ASA members enjoyed seeing Judge Sotomayor sworn in as Associate Justice of the Supreme …Read More » »

Living on the edge

Posted by Kathy Patrick on July 30th, 2009

I’m the vice president of services for Easter Seals New Jersey, so I was invited to attend the Legislative Summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures in Philadelphia earlier this month.

Along with other Easter Seals affiliate and national staff members who handle state government relations, I networked with state legislators, learned about the issues facing my …Read More » »

Over 40% of homeless in U.S. have a disability

Posted by Beth Finke on July 21st, 2009

Every morning when I take my Seeing Eye dog out for her “constitutional” we pass the same homeless man sitting on a crate. “StreetWise!” he calls out. “Can you give a little help today?” StreetWise is a newspaper sold by homeless people in Chicago. The concept is that by selling StreetWise, people down on their luck might get back on …Read More » »

Children with autism grow up to be…adults with autism

Posted by Beth Finke on July 16th, 2009

An article in the Arizona Republic last Sunday reminds readers that children with autism grow up to be adults with autism. The reporter points out what so many tend to forget. Autism is not a childhood disorder. It never goes away.
The child born in 1980 – the year the American Psychiatric Association first added autism to its list of …Read More » »

ASA & other disability organizations: “Sotomayor is our champion”

Posted by Beth Finke on July 13th, 2009

With the Senate confirmation hearings for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court starting today, I thought our blog readers might be interested in what activists for people with autism and other disabilities are saying about Judge Sonia Sotomayor. The Autism Society of America, along with dozens of other disability groups, signed a letter supporting Sotomayor’s confirmation. The letter was …Read More » »

Reimbursement for special ed at private schools

Posted by Beth Finke on July 1st, 2009

A story on NPR’s All Things Considered explains how a Supreme Court ruling last week makes it easier for parents of special education students to get reimbursed for private school tuition.

The case started in Oregon — the parents of a teenager who was refused special education services at a public high school transferred the student to a private academy …Read More » »

People with autism need health insurance reform

Posted by Katy Beh Neas on June 25th, 2009

Too many people with autism and other disabilities are forced to make major life decisions based on whether their insurance meets their individual needs. Parents of a child with autism take out a second mortgage to pay for therapy that helps their child learn and manage his behavior. A young couple decides they cannot get married because one of them …Read More » »