Let's talk Advocacy!
Intro written by Julian McCarthy
As demonstrated by the 2018 midterm elections, college students have become an increasingly powerful voting block that can have a significant impact on the outcomes of elections and, by proxy, public policy. However, college students are significantly less likely to vote than other groups because many students attend university in an area code outside their home state. That being said, our ever-increasing voter turnout and the presence of absentee ballots present an opportunity for college students to truly make a difference in local, state, and federal elections.
Our vote has never mattered more, and it is with that knowledge that I implore you to join me in the fight to bring attention to the civic inequities that people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face on a daily basis.
Today, it is increasingly common for someone with ASD to be labeled “disabled” by the government. For many people with ASD that categorization is offensive and not accurate in the slightest. As a society, we need to bring those with ASD in for our mutual benefit. Doing so, will propel the ASD into the spotlight and help us tackle the many systematic issues that exist in our current system. Did you know that 70% of autistic adults are unemployed and lower-income families are unable to seek out treatment for their kids with ASD and commonly wait up to eight or more years on government treatment waitlists?
I cannot reiterate enough that this is a bipartisan issue. The government saves money when ASD early detection and intervention occurs by effectively bringing people with ASD into the workforce. Our club hopes to raise awareness about ASD, the inherent political challenges people with ASD face and help individuals with ASD get the treatment and benefits they deserve.
This coming year, we plan to reach out to as many representatives and both senators onto the Congressional Autism Caucus. This is a bicameral, bipartisan caucus that fights for increased recognition of autism in our legal system. I hope you will join us in the fight to help people with ASD and work towards changing the status quo that actively oppresses them.
VP of Political Affairs, Julian and President, Holly at our biweekly political campaigns where we talk to students and staff about why autism matters.
Political Science and Business student, Josh, helps us spread the importance about college students voting!
