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Please enjoy OARC’s quarterly newsletter, which includes recent IACC updates, news, events, and publications.

IACC Updates

  
 
  The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Logo empty space Upcoming IACC Full Committee Meeting
The next IACC Full Committee Meeting will take place on October 13-14, 2021. The Committee will discuss the IACC Strategic Plan, employment, Kevin and Avonte’s Law, mental health, and more. The meeting is fully virtual, free, and open to the public on NIH Videocast. 		 
 
 
 
collage of people and buildings and houses empty space Launch of New Resources Section
The new resources section of the IACC website includes lists of resources, from both government and non-government sources, to assist people on the autism spectrum and their families. Topics include About Autism, Transition, Employment, and Housing. The Coronavirus and Agencies and Organizations pages have also been updated. Keep an eye out for new topics in the future!
 
 
Collage of IACC Strategic Plan Covers empty space Request for Public Comment: Updating the IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder
The IACC is requesting public comments to inform the development of the 2021-2022 IACC Strategic Plan. The IACC is interested in what the community considers to be the most important issues, needs, and gaps across autism research, services, and policy that could be addressed by federal programs and activities, and/or in partnership with community organizations. The comment period closes on November 30, 2021.
 
 
  Doctor Joshua Gordon speaking at IACC Virtual Event empty space July 2021 IACC Full Committee Meeting
The first meeting of the new IACC took place on July 21-22, 2021. The Committee discussed business, agency updates, the impact of COVID-19 on the autism community, and racial equity and health disparities in ASD. Recordings of the meeting are also available. 		 
 
 
 
   
Autism Meetings & Events
  
 
Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health empty space AIR-P Research Day at AUCD2021 Conference
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities will host a conference on November 1, 2021. The conference will highlight research supported by the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P) in six nodes: primary care services and quality; community-based lifestyle interventions; gender, sexuality, and reproductive health; health systems and services; neurology; and genetics.
 
 
Stanford Medicine Logo empty space Stanford Neurodiversity Summit
The Stanford University Neurodiversity Project will host their second virtual summit from November 7-9, 2021. This year’s theme is "Your Neurodiversity Identity for You and Your Community."
 
 
   
News & Blogs
  
 
National Disability Employment Awareness month poster, which includes people standing around the outline of the united states empty space National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Every year, October is proclaimed as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme is "America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion." As America seeks to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic, people with disabilities are set to play a key role in ensuring the recovery is equitable, robust, and fair to all workers. This month is dedicated to the more than 60 million Americans who have a disability.
 
 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Logo empty space CDC Launches COVID-19 Resources for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created a plain language COVID-19 toolkit for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. The toolkit contains social stories, videos, posters, and interactive activities.
 
 
US Department of Education Logo empty space New Guidance Reaffirms Importance of Full Implementation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) at the U.S. Department of Education issued a letter to reiterate that regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic or mode of instruction, children with disabilities are entitled to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The department also released their Return to School Roadmap in August, which provides resources and supports for students, parents, educators, and school communities.
 
 
Department of Labor Logo empty space U.S. Department of Labor Announces Alliance with National Organization of Equal Opportunity Professionals to Promote Workplace Diversity
The U.S. Department of Labor announced an alliance with the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the organization’s workplace equity efforts. The three-year alliance will include a range of collaborative activities and provide tools and information for the organization’s members.
 
 
man typing on laptop empty space MITRE Neurodiverse Federal Workforce Initiative
People with disabilities are a largely untapped labor pool with immense potential to help the public sector achieve innovation. The non-profit MITRE has partnered with federal agencies, academia, and private industry to develop a Neurodiverse Federal Workforce Initiative to help bolster the federal government’s tech workforce. With lessons learned from this pilot project, MITRE and its federal and private partners hope to change the conversation around workers with disabilities and open the door for more neurodiversity inclusion in the federal government. MITRE will be holding a Federal Neurodiversity at Work Summit on October 19-20, 2021 that is open to the public.
 
 
   
Publications & Reports
  
 
  Part of National Autism Indicators Report cover, which includes wavy lines. empty space National Autism Indicators Report: High Rates of Mental Health Conditions and Persistent Disparities in Care
The latest edition of the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute’s National Autism Indicators Report series shows high rates of mental health conditions in autistic people and racial/ethnic disparities in access to mental health and health care. The report also examined the relationship between mental health and community engagement in autistic youth. 		 
 
 
 
raise family caregiving advisory council empty space ACL Delivers RAISE Caregiver Report to Congress
The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, & Engage (RAISE) Family Caregiving Advisory Council finished their 2-year report to Congress in September. The Council developed 26 recommendations summarized by five goals which seek to validate, increase awareness towards, and improve the overall well-being of family caregivers. The report states that more than 53 million people are considered caregivers in America.