Author: Meredith Cola, B.A.
Historically, autism research has primarily focused on what researchers or other non-autistic people think is important. Autistic self-advocates have been calling for more research priorities that reflect the autistic community’s needs and are informed by autistic perspectives.
This month, you have the opportunity to tell the government what research should be prioritized, and where the gaps in funding are. You can do this by November 30th by submitting a comment to Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) using the link below. Every year the government distributes funds for research on autism. The IACC makes recommendations about where those funds go and what research should be prioritized. The IACC is currently accepting comments on its strategic plan, asking for your thoughts on the research areas that IACC currently prioritizes — including which ones are most important to the autistic community and need more funding, and which ones the community is concerned about. Your voice can make an impact that shapes how research works for the autistic community.
Here is how to submit a comment on the IACC’s strategic plan:
- Use this form: https://iacc.hhs.gov/meetings/public-comments/requests-for-information/2021/strategic-plan.shtml?emci=e9658625-693e-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&emdi=fae7610f-803e-ec11-9820-c896653b26c8&ceid=15736787
- There is a series of questions. You can answer the questions you want to answer. You don’t have to answer all of the questions.
- Use the navigation buttons to move between questions. This will let you edit your answers if needed.
- Your comments will only be recorded once you hit “Submit” at the end of the form.
- You will see onscreen a confirmation that your answers have been submitted
- You will not receive any email response or feedback from IACC right away
If you need some ideas about how public comments sometimes look, check out the examples on the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) website below!
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/ASAN-Comments-IACC-Meeting-October-2021.pdf
Sources: Autistic Self Advocacy Network