The Association of University Centers on Disabilities' (AUCD) host of "Tuesdays with Liz" recently interviewed Congressman Chris Smith to discuss what Smith's recently introduced legislation, the Autism CARES Act of 2019, does and why it is important that Congress re-authorize funding for CARES by September 2019.

  The weekly video series highlights current issues in disability policy, and is hosted by Liz Weintraub, a long-time disability advocate, and produced by AUCD.

  Congressman Smith provides an overview of what a 'sunset provision' is and how it relates to the Autism CARES Act. He also shares with Liz why the work that she and other disability advocates provide is so important in helping ensure disability issues and policy receive attention in the halls of Congress.

Part 1 (above)

 AUCD has called for supporters of the Autism CARES 2019 to call their House and Senate representatives to support re-authorization via Smith's HR 1058, called S 427 in the Senate.

 Rep. Smith (R-NJ) authored the bipartisan bill, HR 1058, and Mike Doyle (D-PA) cosponsored the Autism CARES Act of 2019 in the House to reauthorize federal programs and activities that assist children, adults and families with Autism. The bill is supported by a widespread coalition of autism and disability advocate organizations, including AUCD, Autism Speaks, Autism Society of America, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Autism NJ. A companion bill was later introduced in the Senate by Sens. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Mike Enzi (R-WY).

Part 2 (above)

 AUCD's mission is to "advance policies and practices that improve the health, education, social, and economic well-being of all people with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and their communities by supporting our members in research, education, health and service activities" that achieve its goals. AUCD and its member organizations advocate values that include the participation of people with disabilities, family members, trainees, staff, and faculty in their programs, governance, and leadership.

The shows aired April 23, 2019 and April 16, 2019 and can be found online at:

https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=14073&parent=967&parent_title=Tuesdays with Liz&url=/template/page.cfm?id%3D967 

https://www.aucd.org/template/news.cfm?news_id=14050&parent=967&parent_title=Tuesdays with Liz&url=/template/page.cfm?id%3D967