Disability-wide advocacy information, while always important to people affected by autism, is particularly crucial in 2011 in Wisconsin. The health-care and education issues in the current legislation are not specific to autism — the word “autism” is not even mentioned in the legislation text — but their impact could be immense.
These links lead to additional information and perspectives that we hope you will find helpful. Please note that these links will take you away from the ASGM site, to sites whose content ASGM does not control.
- The 2011-13 Wisconsin State Budget has been passed, and was signed into law June 26, 2011. ASGM stands with the Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations in the June 30 release of a Legislative Report Card assessing the budget’s funding and policy impact on people with disabilities. Funding for community-based long-term adult care and public education both received F grades; funding for long-term community-based supports for children, transportation, mental health, and county-based programs all received D’s.
- The Wisconsin legislature held public hearings this spring on a bill called “The Special Needs Scholarship Program Act” (AB110), a voucher/”school choice” program for students with special needs. The legislation is likely to be taken up again in the fall 2011 session. For more information on AB110 and special needs voucher programs, see:
– School “Choice” for Students with Disabilities? Frequently Asked Questions (from Disability Rights Wisconsin, Wisconsin FACETS, and WBPDD)
– School “Choice” for Students with Disabilities? Comparison Chart of School Responsibilities (from Disability Rights Wisconsin, Wisconsin FACETS, and WBPDD)
– Special Needs Scholarships: Myths and Facts about AB110 (from Disability Rights Wisconsin, posted on the Autism Society of Wisconsin website)
– Walker’s School Choices Bills Face Some Hurdles (The Capital Times, 5/9/2011) - Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations: State Budget Talking Points for Advocates (.pdf) — From this past winter/spring: one-page handouts on 7 disability-related topics in the Wisconsin budget
- Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations: Ideas for the DHS Town Hall Meetings (.pdf)
- 2011-2013 Survival Coalition of Disability Organizations: Budget Policy Priorities
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