A daytime rally and meetings with State Senators to raise autism awareness and to advocate for autism related bills in the Ohio legislature, and an evening reception for advocates and constituents to meet with legislators and other decision makers to discuss autism, and autism supports and services in Ohio districts.
Autism Awareness Rally 11:00AM - 12:00 Noon
The rally will be held April 14, 2010, 11:00am to 12:00 noon on the south lawn of the Ohio Statehouse
Parking is available under the Statehouse or flat lots by the Statehouse. Informational handouts about HB 8 and SB 220/HB 399 will be available for all advocates and media.
Speakers will be addressing the bills,
- HB 8: A BILL To amend section 1739.05 and to enact sections 1751.68 and 3923.84 of the Revised Code to prohibit health insurers from excluding coverage for specified services for individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
- Passed in the Ohio House 12/8/2009;
- Currently in the Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee.
- SB 220 / HB 399: To amend section 955.011 of the Revised Code to revise the definition of "mobility impaired person" to include a person who is diagnosed with autism for purposes of the statutes governing assistance dogs.
- SB 220 currently in the Senate Health, Human Services, & Aging Committee &
- HB 399 is currently in the House Health Committee
Attendees are requested to bring signs (without a pole) showing support for HB 8, saying thanks for passing HB 8 and listing his/her State Representative. It is also suggested that attendees call and set up an appointment with his/her state Senator to discuss HB 8 and SB 220/HB 399.
Announced speakers are,
- State Representative Ted Celeste (24, Columbus) – Co-Leader of the House Autism Legislative Caucus
- Amy Feagle – Parent of a child with Autism – President, Dayton Area Families For Effective Autism Treatment (DAFEAT) – Advocating on behalf of House Bill 8 – Autism insurance reform
- State Senator Tom Patton (24, Cleveland) – Co-Leader of the Senate Autism Legislative Caucus
- Dr. Jim Bryant, Chief, Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH), Ohio Department of Health
- State Senator Kevin Coughlin (27, Cuyahoga Falls) – Ohio Autism Scholarship Program
- Oakstone Academy – Kids will be speaking
- State Representative Kevin Bacon (21, Columbus), Co-Leader of the House Autism Legislative Caucus - Parent of a child with Autism – Update on HB 399/SB 220 – Autism Assisted Dog bill
- Kathe Shelby – Executive Director - ODE - Office of Exceptional Children – update on educational issues
- Alex Sawyers – Adult with Autism
- State Senator Jason Wilson (30, St. Clairsville) – Co-Leader of the Senate Autism Legislative Caucus
- John L. Martin, Director of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities – Early Intensive Waiver and Interagency Work Group
- Special Guest Speaker - Stanley Jackson - WTVN pre/post game Color Analyst for OSU football, and former professional and Ohio State University quarterback.
Autism Awareness Legislative Reception: 5:00PM – 7:00PM
In the evening, an Autism Awareness Legislative Reception will be held in the Atrium of the Statehouse. Legislators have been invited to meet with constituents from their districts to learn more about autism and autism supports and services in their district. Department Directors, members of the Interagency Workgroup on Autism and the Governor’s office have also been invited. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided by Autism Society of Ohio.
For more information:
CONTACTS:
RALLY: Doug Krinsky (Parent of a child with Autism), CAC, Autism Speaks,
(614) 554-0802, yogi1125@aol.com
RECEPTION: Barbara Yavorcik, Executive Director, Autism Society of Ohio, (614) 537-4079, askASO@autismohio.org, www.autismohio.org
© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
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