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Please enjoy OARC’s quarterly newsletter, which includes an update on IACC activities, recent events, news, and publications.

IACC Update

  
 
  IACC Logo empty space IACC Nominations Update
Nominations for membership on the IACC have closed and the process for appointing new members to the committee is underway. Once the new committee is formed, formal announcements will be made and meetings and activities of the IACC will resume. For the latest publications and updates on the IACC and federal agency activities related to autism, please see the IACC website at https://iacc.hhs.gov. 		 
 
 
 
   
News & Updates
  
 
  Three adults with disabilities empty space National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2020
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), as announced by President Trump in his annual proclamation. This year’s theme is "Increasing Access and Opportunity" for people with disabilities. Check out this page to learn how the federal government is celebrating the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce. 		 
 
 
 
  Autism Navigator Logo empty space Autism Science Foundation and Autism Navigator Launch Virtual Community to Support Families Raising Young Children with Autism
The Autism Science Foundation and Autism Navigator announced the launch of the Autism Navigator Virtual Community, a web-based education platform designed to help healthcare providers, educators, and families improve outcomes for young children with an autism spectrum disorder. Users will be able to interact directly with one another, allowing parents to support each other and gain access to experts. 		 
 
 
 
  Shaded map of United States empty space OSEP Releases Two New OSEP Fast Facts
The U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs released two new updates on race and ethnicity of students who receive services under IDEA. These fast facts highlight information on American Indian or Alaska Native and Black or African American children with disabilities. 		 
 
 
 
  Department of Housing and Urban Development logo empty space HUD Awards Millions in Rental Assistance for People With Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that they will distribute $74 million to state housing finance agencies to support about 2,400 housing units for up to five years. The rental assistance will be for extremely low-income individuals with disabilities and will be provided through the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. 		 
 
 
 
  National Council on Disability Logo empty space NCD Makes Recommendations on COVID-19 Vaccine Framework
The National Council on Disability, a federal agency that provides guidance on disability policy, submitted input on the needs and rights of individuals with disabilities to a National Academies study panel commissioned by CDC and NIH that is exploring the ethics of distribution of vaccines for COVID-19 once they become available. 		 
 
 
 
   
Autism Meetings & Events
  
 
  Slide of young adult looking at camera for the National Disability Employment Awareness Month empty space Building a Future that Works
October 20, 2020
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) hosted an event to celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Speakers discussed the role of accessible technology and DOL’s work to ensure access to emerging technologies in the workplace. 		 
 
 
 
  Autism Science Foundation Day of Learning Logo empty space Autism Science Foundation Day of Learning
September 22, 2020
This year, Autism Science Foundation’s Fall Day of Learning took place virtually and featured presentations from six autism researchers covering a range of topics from therapeutic robots and personalized social interventions for teens to questions about the language we use to describe autism. Videos are available on the ASF website. 		 
 
 
 
   
Publications & Resources
  
 
  2019 IACC Strategic Plan Cover empty space 2019 IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder
This publication provides details of committee activities in 2018 and 2019 and summarizes the activities of two working groups established by the committee to address topics of particular importance to the ASD community: improving physical and mental health outcomes and housing. 		 
 
 
 
  Cover of Department of Education transition guide document empty space A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities
The U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services released an updated transition guide to help students with disabilities and their families understand the years-long process and their options. The updated 60-page guide addresses transition planning, transition services and requirements, education and employment options, and supporting student and youth’s decisions. 		 
 
 
 
  Three young adults look at same piece of paper empty space Supporting Teens and Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum: Setting and Pursuing Self-Determined Goals
This toolkit was published as a collaboration between the Frist Center for Autism and Innovation and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders. The toolkit can help teens and young adults set a variety of goals, including ones related to health or employment.