ACTION ALERT! PLEASE SHARE NOW! Repeal of the Affordable Care Act has reared its ugly head again. Attached is the link with information about the Cassidy-Graham Amendment that would strip billions of dollars in funding for services for people with disabilities to live and work in the community as well as health care for millions of people.
The U.S. Senators from California, Feinstein and Harris, will certainly both oppose the plan. But there are Senators from other states who are on the fence. It is only influential if you call your own Senator so if you, or your family or friend, are from the following Senators' states, please urge them to call and say, "VOTE NO on the Cassidy-Graham Amendment because it will cut services to my family member who is disabled."
Here are the key Senators and their states:
-- Sen. Capito - West Virginia - 202-224-6472
-- Sen. Murkowski - Alaska - 202-224-6665
-- Sen. Collins - Maine - 202-224-2523
-- Sen. McCain - Arizona - 202-224-2235
-- Sen. Portman - Ohio - 202-224-3353
They will probably ask for your name and mailing address - and if you give them an address that is not in the state they represent, I promise it will not be considered. This is why we have to find people in their states. So who do you know in Alaska and Maine?

Thanks for your help! ... See more

ASLA September Newsletter...

LAST CALL - Discounted ticket purchases still available to Knott's Berry Farm through September 4, 2017!
Goto http://autism.cedarfair.com/ to purchase at $45 (valid through Dec. 31 2017). #AutismAwareness #AutismSociety #CedarFair (not valid for Knott's scary farm, special tickets, or private events) with Autism Society Greater Long Beach/San Gabriel Valley/Orange County www.AutismLA.org ... See more

Autism Society Promotion

DDS Plans First Trainings on the Self-Determination Program. Find out where and when here...

ASLA August Newsletter
www.AutismLA.org

DON'T FORGET - discounted ticket purchases still available to Knott's Berry Farm through September 4, 2017!
Goto http://autism.cedarfair.com/ to purchase at $45 (valid through Dec. 31 2017). #AutismAwareness #AutismSociety #CedarFair (not valid for Knott's scary farm, special tickets, or private events) with Autism Society Greater Long Beach/San Gabriel Valley/Orange County
www.AutismLA.org ... See more

Autism Society Promotion

Saturday August 12, 2017 - Sensory Friendly Film - "The Emoji Movie" in participating theatres nationwide. To find a theatre near you visit: https://www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films.
www.AutismLA.org ... See more

For guests and families living with autism or other special needs.

Exciting News... The Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA), is expanding. Lisette Duarte, is joining ASLA as the Coordinator to lead the newly launched Parent Empowerment Project (PEP). www.AutismLA.org ... See more

Beautiful article from Mari-Anne Kehler, ASLA Vice-President... "In the end, courage and love win out, and we dive in. And we fall in love. And they leave. And it’s worth it..."

Another school year has ended and Mari-Anne Kehler laments about the loss of another aide.

HEALTH CARE CUTS FROM WASHINGTON. WHAT CAN YOU DO?

When you wake up on Tuesday morning, July 25, the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a "motion to proceed" on either the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) or the Obamacare Repeal Reconciliation Act (ORRA). This means that the vote will allow the Senate to move forward on debating a health care bill that will drastically cut Medicaid funding for services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Those regional center services you get? Funded through Medicaid and potentially cut in half.

WHAT CAN YOU DO? In California, we are lucky to have two U.S. Senators that are supporting the disability community and will vote against the motion to move forward on the bill. BUT - go through your phone and see if you have friends and family in other states, particularly Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, North Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maine, West Virginia or other states with Senators who might vote for the bill. Please email, text and call them to explain how this will be devastating for you or your family member.

Here is their simple message:

"I have a family member/friend with a disability and if this health care bill passes, it will be terrible for their family. They will lose critical services that allow them to stay in the community and live a good life. Please vote no on the health care bill."

These calls need to be made today - so do it now. The general number for all U.S. Senators is: 202-224-3121. They can ask to be connected to the Senators' offices from their state (there are two Senators from each state). Please note that Senators only really care about the voters in their own state so calling from California to other states isn't as useful. You need to call your friends and family in other states.

For more information, click on the link. The American Association of People with Disabilities has some great information and toolkits.

Thank you for your help! ... See more