Volunteers needed to lobby for autism legislation

As a parent of a teenager with autism, on a daily basis I need to advocate for my son, to try to provide the best possible future for him after the age of 22.

I also try to make people aware of the ever-increasing number of children and adults with autism who need understanding and help to have a happy and productive life, when such things as reducing the Illinois PUNS list, job training and housing for people with developmental disabilities - to name a few - are nowhere near meeting the demand.

Illinois ranks 47th-51st in the nation in meeting those needs and getting worse. There are not enough autism advocates in the state to talk with federal and state legislators on how to address important issues that affect an estimated 100,000 to 120,000 people.

With that in mind, Autism Speaks is looking for advocates to call on federal and state legislators to push important legislation.

Advocates will be in charge of grass roots development of improving autism awareness and support in their districts, to help improve services for people with autism by getting people involved in their community.

We are presently looking for district advocates for the 8th Congressional District. If you are interested, have a desire in working in your community, have talked with your legislative representatives in the past or want to in the future, have a connection with autism and want to change the status quo, email me at mbaker721@comcast.net.

Mike Baker

Volunteer State Advocacy Chair

Autism Speaks