Are you satisfied with the Federal government’s handling of autism issues? What should the Federal government do for those with autism, families facing autism, and those at risk for developing autism? What should the Federal government’s priorities be for autism research, treatments, supports, services, safety, insurance coverage, housing and employment? What do you want the Federal government to know about autism?
The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) is one way that individuals in the autism community can communicate directly with officials at the Federal government.
The IACC is a Federal advisory committee that coordinates autism-related efforts within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). It advises the Secretary of HHS on autism issues. Comprised mostly of Federal members with some public member representation, IACC was re-authorized in 2014 under the Autism CARES Act. Federal members include officials from the NIH, Centers for Disease Control, Department of Education, Environmental Protection Agency, Food & Drug Administration, Social Security Administration, and others.
You can share your thoughts and experiences with autism at the next meeting of the IACC on Thursday, April 19th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern, in Bethesda, Md., near the campus of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The meeting is open to the public and will also be accessible by webcast and conference call.
For those who want to attend in person, pre-registration is encouraged because room capacity is limited. Anyone can submit written comments which are then entered into the committee records. Limited speaking spots are available for those wishing to express their views during the public comment portion of the meeting. If you want to submit comments and to speak, you will need to notify the IACC by Friday, April 6, 2018 before 5 p.m. ET and submit your written/electronic statement by Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at 5 p.m. ET.
