Today, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, and author of the Combating Autism Act, released the following statement in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day:

“At a time when the number of children and families living with autism has grown exponentially, it is important that we recognize the need to expand our federal commitment to combating this disability.  Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States, yet we are not committing enough of our federal resources to develop the type of scientific breakthroughs that are needed to combat autism. It is time to redouble our efforts and help the thousands of families who are raising children with autism.”

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, lauded the passage of his amendment to the FY2009 Budget Resolution that increases funding for autism research, education, and early detection by $197 million.  This increase brings autism funding up to its authorized level and then provides for a doubling of funding research into the causes of and treatments for autism. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined Dodd as the lead co-sponsor of the amendment.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), senior member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and Chairman of its Subcommittee on Children and Families, announced the introduction of the Disabilities Savings Act of 2008 at an event with Autism Speaks Co-Founders Bob and Suzanne Wright, Stuart Spielman, the father of a teenage son with Autism, Kathy Neas of Easter Seals, and families of children with autism and other disabilities.

Purpose:

To encourage individuals with disabilities and their families to save private funds for disability-related expenses to supplement, not supplant, benefits provided by other sources (including Medicaid and private insurance) so that people with disabilities can maintain health, independence, and quality of life.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today met with the Connecticut chapter of the National Federation of the Blind to discuss the bill he introduced on Friday that would allow blind individuals to earn more in the workplace without losing critical Social Security benefits, as well as other issues related to improving the lives of blind individuals.

Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today introduced legislation that would allow blind people to earn more in the workplace without losing critical Social Security benefits.  To qualify for benefits under current law, blind Americans must earn less than $1,570 per month, which can discourage them from pursuing jobs that would bump their monthly income slightly above this rigid limit.  By increasing this monthly limit over the next five years, the Blind Person’s Earning Fairness Act of 2008 seeks to encourage blind people to pursue the jobs they want and live richer, more fulfilled lives as members of the workforce.   

Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman John Lewis, along with more than a dozen Senate colleagues, introduced the Civil Rights Act of 2008, which will strengthen accountability when civil rights and workers’ rights are violated.

Recent court decisions have weakened America’s civil rights laws in ways that Congress never intended.  This legislation will ensure accountability for violations of our civil rights and fair labor laws and give individuals the right to challenge practices that have unjustified discriminatory effect based on race, color, national origin, disability, age or gender. It also gives students the same protection from harassment in school that workers have on the job, and holds employers fully accountable for age discrimination and discrimination against our men and women in the armed services.

The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation presented Senator Chris Dodd with their award for Outstanding Senator of the Year. Senator Dodd was joined by his sister Carolyn Dodd, along with Carl Suter (CEO of the Council of State Administrators of Voc. Rehab.), Butch McMillan (President of the Council of State Administrators of Voc. Rehab.), Brenda Moore (Connecticut’s Voc. Rehab. Director), and Brian S. Sigman (Executive Director of the CT Board of Education and Service for the Blind).

August 4, 2006

Washington, DC – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) today announced the Senate passage of S. 843, the Combating Autism Act, legislation aimed at improving and expanding the federal commitment toward autism, the fastest growing developmental disability in the nation.  The legislation, which he authored with Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), commits close to $1 billion to increase research to help improve our understanding of what causes this developmental disability and how we can best help individuals living with it meet their full potential.