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Please enjoy OARC’s quarterly newsletter, which includes news, events, publications, and recent activity of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC).

Autism Meetings & Events

  
 
  The Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) Logo empty space Upcoming IACC Full Committee Meeting
The January IACC Full Committee meeting will be held virtually on January 18, 2023. The Committee will discuss autism services, disability research at the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and the IACC Strategic Plan. 		 
 
 
 
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders empty space Minimally Verbal/Non-Speaking Individuals with Autism: Research Directions for Interventions to Promote Language and Communication
On January 24-25, 2023, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) will host a workshop to discuss research needs and directions for improving language/communication outcomes for minimally verbal, non-speaking children and adults on the autism spectrum. The event is open to the public. Watch Day 1 | Watch Day 2.
 
 
Susan Daniels, Joshua Gordon, and John Robison at IACC virtual meeting empty space October IACC Meeting
The October IACC Full Committee Meeting took place virtually on October 26, 2022. Committee members discussed the IACC Strategic Plan and heard presentations on employment and autism in older adulthood. View recording.
 
 
   
News & Blogs
  
 
International Society for Autism Research empty space Autism and the Criminal Justice System: Policy Opportunities and Challenges
In October, the International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) released a new policy brief with recommendations for preventing, reducing, and improving interactions between autistic people and the criminal justice system. This policy brief was developed by the Global Autism and Criminal Justice Consortium. The Consortium included a team of autistic adults, family members, researchers, criminal justice system professionals, and policy makers.
 
 
National Family Caregiver Month empty space National Family Caregivers Month
In November, during National Family Caregivers Month, the White House, government agencies, and organizations across the U.S. recognized the important contributions that parents, siblings, and other family caregivers make to provide their loved ones who are elderly, have chronic health conditions, or disabilities with acceptance, support, care, resources, and a sense of belonging in their families and their communities.
 
 
United Nations empty space UN Secretary-General Statement for International Day of Persons with Disabilities
In his message for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres described the role of innovation and technology in achieving an accessible and equitable world for people with disabilities.
 
 
   
Publications & Reports
  
 
National Council on Disability empty space NCD urges HCBS strengthening, calls for ‘Community Living Bias’ in view of COVID-19 death toll
The National Council on Disability (NCD) released a report which examines weaknesses in the home- and community-based services (HCBS) ecosystem, entitled Strengthening the HCBS Ecosystem – Responding to Dangers of Congregate Settings During COVID-19. The report examines the disproportionate death toll in congregate settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. NCD found that about 14 million Americans of all ages need HCBS, with 40% being adults under 65 years old, and people younger than 30 years old making up the fastest growing nursing home population. Chairman Andres Gallegos says that severe worker shortages are compounding the large demand for services. According to the NCD, there are 820,000 people with disabilities on waiting lists for HCBS across the nation.
 
 
Interagency Committee on Disability Research empty space The Impact of COVID-19 on Disability Research
The Interagency Committee on Disability Research published a white paper in December 2022, The Impact of COVID-19 on Disability Research: A 2022 Update, that presents updated information on how the field of disability research has changed and adapted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting important areas of new research and how the shift to virtual research methods has modified the research landscape.
 
 
World Health Organization empty space Launch of the WHO Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities
The global launch of the WHO Global Report on Health Equity for Persons with Disabilities, which took place on December 2, 2022, aims to raise awareness on health equity for persons with disabilities and mobilize action across a range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, development agencies, and other health sector partners.
 
 
   
Solicitations and Community Participation Opportunities
  
 
National Institutes of Health empty space Request for Information (RFI): Innovative approaches to prevent mental health problems and promote mental wellness in populations that experience health disparities
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Advancing Prevention Research for Health Equity (ADVANCE) initiative is seeking public comment from community-based health and service providers and organizations on interventions or programs that prevent mental health problems or promote mental health wellness in populations that experience health disparities. Comments related to individuals with disabilities as a group that experiences health disparities are welcome, though not listed specifically in the announcement. Comments are due by March 1, 2023 and can be submitted here.