Advocacy Update: March 10, 2021
AuSM’s Advocacy Committee has been working hard on our package of accessibility bills and we’re currently at an important point. We need your help!
Advocacy Alert
Three bills from AuSM’s accessibility package are on the docket to receive hearings before the house and senate. We need you to reach out to your representatives and senators before March 12 to let them know how vital it is to the autism community that these bills receive hearings. Accessibility for our community has taken a backseat for far too long and now is the time to demand inclusion and accessibility for everyone.
BILLS
Emergency Shelter Accessibility: House File 193/Senate File 1349
Legislation to create guidelines for equitable access to homeless and domestic violence shelters for individuals with neurological and intellectual disabilities.
Sensory-Friendly Event Licensing: House File 139/Senate File 1348 and House File 1361/Senate File 1556
A bill amending permit requirements for large event approval to include requirements to provide sensory-friendly space or accommodations for any public event that includes more than 1,000 participants.
Special Education Parent Accessibility: House File 1362
A bill outlying requirements for educators to accommodate parents with disabilities in the IEP process to allow better access to special education for families with multiple generations of disability.
To find your elected official, visit this map and enter your address.
During the 2021 legislative session, AuSM is spearheading a package of bills aimed at increasing accessibility for those with invisible disabilities. Throughout the session, we’ll share advocacy updates in our e-newsletter and on our website to keep our community informed.
Updates on Bills
We are excited to share that one of our bills recently had a hearing:
Sensory-Friendly Grant: House File 139
Appropriation Reintroduction of our 2020 legislation for a grant appropriation for sensory-friendly projects in public access spaces.
POSITION STATEMENT: Subminimum Wage
The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) recognizes that this issue significantly affects autistic adults, who often “fall through the cracks” of current employment programs, are underemployed, and could be happy or unhappy with their employment situation.
AuSM supports the recommendations of Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE). Read the full position statement on AuSM’s website.