Autism Speaks honors Virginia legislators for leadership on behalf of the autism community

On January 27, advocates from across Virginia gathered at the state capitol for the annual Autism Advocacy Day, where they engaged legislators on key policy issues affecting the autism community. During this gathering, several lawmakers were also awarded a 2024 Autism Speaks Public Service Award. Autism Speaks commends these legislators for their dedication and leadership to improving the lives of autistic individuals and their families through meaningful legislative action. Their leadership continues to drive progress in education, healthcare, lifespan services, and public safety for the autism community in Virginia.

Senator Barbara Favola & Delegate Carrie Coyner

Delegate Carrie Coyner and Senator Barbara Favola led efforts in their respective chambers to champion special education reform. Their substantial piece of legislation requires, among many other provisions, that school districts and teacher preparation programs provide training on specially designed instruction in inclusive settings. Additionally, the bill requires school districts to employ at least one special education parent engagement specialist. It also directs the State Parent Ombudsman for Special Education to perform new functions, including tracking and reporting questions and concerns raised by parents. Senator Favola and Delegate Coyner’s leadership will help put students with autism and other disabilities on a trajectory of success by ensuring they receive the necessary and appropriate classroom supports. 

Senator Stella Pekarsky

Senator Stella Pekarsky was honored for her efforts in leading legislation to re-establish the Autism Advisory Council, which had sunset in 2022. The reformed Council now includes an increase in the number of Council members (from eight to twenty-five), sets eligibility criteria for non-legislative citizen members, and strengthens the Council’s authority by adding additional legislators to it. Thanks to Senator Pekarsky, the reinstatement of the Autism Advisory Council elevates autism-related policy discussions in Virginia’s legislative landscape.

Delegate Irene Shin

Delegate Irene Shin was recognized for her leadership on two bills related to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). The first bill requires the state to amend financial eligibility standards for Developmental Disability (DD) waivers by disregarding Social Security Disability income when calculating financial eligibility. The second bill mandates that the state adopt pandemic-era flexibilities that allowed parents of disabled children and spouses of disabled adults to serve as paid caregivers. These measures will help ease financial burdens on families and ensure continued access to necessary services. Delegate Shin’s efforts will help expand access to lifespan services that many individuals rely on to live safe, meaningful lives in their communities.

Delegate Rodney Willett 

Delegate Rodney Willett championed the passage of a bill that requires compulsory training standards for law enforcement officers on communication with autistic individuals. The new law requires that these training standards be developed in consultation with individuals who have autism, are a family member of someone with autism, and work professionally in autism-related care.  As a result, this initiative will help protect the safety of autistic individuals by ensuring that law enforcement personnel are better equipped to interact with and support autistic individuals in their communities.