Advocacy at Autism Delaware

Lend Your Voice to Help Us Change the World

Autism Delaware actively advocates for the autism and disability communities to the Delaware General Assembly and State agencies. Read more about the work we’re doing and how you can get involved!

Autism Delaware aims to keep our community informed of emerging issues of importance. This information represents our best knowledge of the situation currently.

Autism Delaware’s former, long-time Policy Director, Alex Eldreth sadly passed away in November, 2017. We share this Advocacy with Alex video as a tribute to him.

Current Issues

Autism Delaware is currently monitoring policy changes at the federal and state levels. We are very aware that some proposed changes may affect the families that utilize autism-related services. We encourage you to visit the resources listed below to stay on top of what is happening. As always, Autism Delaware will continue to advocate for the disability community.

Medicaid

Autism Delaware's Position

Home and Community Based Services

There has been a great deal of discussion in recent years over the concept of “home and community based services.” Well-intentioned and knowledgeable advocates have disagreed on what it really means to provide such a service and how individuals with disabilities will be affected by a variety of proposed legal definitions.

Autism Delaware conducted a study on best practices in adult services in 2007 and, as a result of that study’s findings, opened Productive Opportunities for Work & Recreation (POW&R) as an entirely community-based vocational service. This program’s impact on individuals with autism has been remarkable and recognized on both a state and national level.

As Autism Delaware continues to expand, we will go on providing innovative, community-based and person-centered services to fulfill the needs of those affected by autism in Delaware. Each individual with autism is unique, and therefore we need a flexible range of services – in behavioral interventions, vocational programs, residential service, family support services, and more – to provide appropriate supports for everyone. Individuals should have the opportunity to choose for themselves what works best for them.

Potential Funding Cuts

Autism Delaware opposes any spending plan that would harm services for people with disabilities and their families. This includes cuts to and block granting Medicaid, arbitrary spending caps, and balanced budget requirements that would prevent the federal government from responding to increases in service needs. Cutting services from some of our most vulnerable citizens is not fiscally or morally responsible.

Resources:

Education

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Track executive orders and federal policy changes

Become an Autism Advocate

Understanding the Legislative Process

Contact Your Elected Officials

Find your legislator (for Delawareans)

If you live in Delaware, you can reach your Federal Senators and Representative at the following links:

Rep. Sarah McBride - General Contact Form / Share Your Medicaid Story
Senator Lisa Blunt-Rochester
Senator Chris Coons
You can look up your Delaware State Senator or Representative HERE
Delaware's Attorney General, Kathy Jennings, can be reached at attorney.general@delaware.gov

Find your legislator (outside of Delaware):

If you don't live in Delaware, The Arc has put together a page to help you find contact information for your Federal Congressional delegates. You can find that information HERE.
If you live in one of the 17 states currently a part of the Section 504 lawsuit, use this tool to contact your state's Attorney General.

Tips for Writing Your Message

If you aren't sure what to say, please feel free to use our form letter as a starting point. You can add your personal experience to this letter.

Download Our Form Letter

Download Our Medicaid Fact Sheet

If you'd like to write your own message but aren't sure where to start, you can try one of these topics:

How Medicaid makes a difference in your life, or the life of your loved one. Explain why you need this funding to live, grow, work, and participate as a valued member of your community.
How educational protections, supports, and accommodations allow you or your loved one to participate in a Free and Appropriate Public Education.
Why are you concerned about Section 504 potentially being eliminated?
How do changes to our immigration system affect you, or an undocumented person you know?
How are changes to DEIA affecting you or your loved one? How are you concerned these changes could affect you or your loved one in the future?
How have you or a loved one been affected by other cuts to federal programming, including funding freezes, layoffs/firings, Executive Orders, or other things?

Other Resources

Share this new Medicaid factsheet and use it when visiting or contacting Congressional offices (download the PDF version to print).
Check out this Protect Medicaid 2025 Toolkit from Caring Across Generations.
Complete a letter using tools from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, The Arc, National Disability Rights Network, Caring Across Generations, and the National Council on Independent Living.

For additional information about what is happening, and your rights, please visit our Resource Page.

Smart Cookie Day

SCD will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Legislative Hall in Dover

This is the day when Autism Delaware staff and teams of volunteer advocates converge on Legislative Hall in Dover to meet with legislators and give them freshly baked chocolate chip cookies to thank them for their support of all Delawareans who are affected by autism spectrum disorder.

Our teams meet with legislators and speak with them about their lives and what challenges they have faced having a loved one who is living with ASD. The teams also speak about the importance of offering the same level of high quality and proven supports and services to students no matter where in the state they attend school.

Questions about the day? Contact Sarah McGuire at Sarah.McGuire@autismdelaware.org.

Let us know if you'd like to join us on Smart Cookie Day.

All participating advocates must first register on Point, our new volunteer platform. Please click the button below to register.

Delaware Advocacy Organizations

A-Team Delaware

A-Team Delaware is a local advocacy organization fighting for disability rights.

To learn more about A-Team's advocacy efforts and how you can get involved in Delaware based advocacy, visit https://www.ateamde.org/advocacy
For local resources on ABLE Accounts, Advocacy in Delaware, The Division of Developmental Disability Services (DDDS), community integration, and more visit their Resource Directory https://www.ateamde.org/resource-directory

Ability Network of Delaware

Delaware's Alliance on Non-profit Advancement (DANA)

Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens (GACEC)

State Council for Persons with Disabilities

National Advocacy Organizations

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)

An advocacy and education organization supporting non-discrimination of people with disabilities.

DREDF is committed to providing easy-to-understand information on some of the most prominent policy concerns like Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Medicaid.

For information on what's happening with Section 504,
- Visit Protect 504
- Listen to this community briefing Disability Community Briefing: What You Can Do to Stop the Attack on Section 504
For information on concerns about Medicaid, visit https://dredf.org/hands-off-our-medicaid/
Learn the 6 Principles of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

Provides information to take action on public policy concerns. These resources help you understand what steps to take, and how to reach out to your local members of Congress.

AUCD - Educating Vs Lobbying
AUCD - Policy Terms in Plain Language
Other AUCD Resources (includes policy tools like how to reach out to a member of Congress, public hearings, etc.)
Disability in Delaware by the numbers

The Arc

Resources About Autism and Your Rights

ADA Mid Atlantic

Autism Speaks

Autism Society

Medicaid Fact Sheet