AANE: Ten Years of Legislative Advocacy

Advocacy: AANE’s Early Years

AANE’s legislative advocacy started early on, as Dania learned that people with AS were generally not eligible for services from the Massachusetts Departments of Mental Health or Mental Retardation. She had many conversations with staff people from the Executive Office of Human Services, DMR, DMH, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission about correcting this injustice.

Mark Mulgay, a parent and AANE board member who worked at the State House, helped us develop strategies for advocacy. Twice, AANE mounted letter-writing campaigns and arranged for AANE members to testify before legislative committees in support of bills that would bring people with AS the resources and support they needed. Rep. Kay Kahn and Rep. Steve Tolman supported our efforts. The bills passed—but no effective action resulted. Funding was not available, or the bills’ provisions expired under a “sunset” clause.

AANE has been a charter member of the Mass Autism Coalition. We have participated in Autism Awareness Day every April since its inception. AANE members Stephen Shore, John Hatton, Steffi Geheran, Gyasi Burks-Abbott, and Barbara L’Italien have been eloquent speakers at these events. In 2004, the members of the Mass Autism Coalition created a separate organization dedicated to legislative advocacy, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, or AFAM. Gyasi Burks-Abbott and Mark Mulgay are AANE’s liaisons to AFAM. Information about AFAM, and how to join, is available at: www.arcmass.org/AFAM.

Our joint efforts did bring DMR Commissioner Gerald Morrissey on board, resulting in the creation of the new Division of Autism at DMR. Their mandate is to serve people up to age 18 on the entire autism spectrum. Our community is waiting to see what kinds of supports and services will result for families of children with AS.

AANE’s advocacy efforts received a real boost when Barbara L’Italien successfully ran for office as a representative form the 18th Essex district. Now we have a dedicated advocate in the Statehouse to educate legislators and build coalitions.

Much remains to be done. Families need financial help, services and respite. Many adults need funding for support services for independent living. Thank you for your past support and participation in our advocacy efforts. We will be calling on you as our efforts continue into the new decade.

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