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Autism Legislation Project Recruits Law Students Nationwide

Chicago, Illinois, December 6th, 2004.  This summer at the Chicago Law Offices of David M. Sternfield, volunteer law school students devoted their time to enhancing the lives of people with autism through legislative research.  Currently, law school students from across the country are continuing the effort by working tirelessly towards the goal of creating a comprehensive body of legislative research to aid in reforming autism legislation on both state and federal levels.  While researching legislation in all 50 states and beyond, this group has evolved into a cohesive and cooperative nationwide effort. The Autism Legislation Project (“ALP”) has adopted the use of multiple teams and team leaders in order to further the project’s objective of playing a role in the challenging task of enhancing the lives of all autistic individuals as well as the contributions those individuals make as productive members of society. 

While examining those states with legislation already in place, the group is looking towards working in conjunction with legislators to implement and improve autism legislation.  Specifically, the ALP is in the process of creating a compilation of all legislation relating to autism, organized by state and major subject areas such as education, vocational training, health care and criminal statutes. Such a guide will be suitable for use by state and federal entities as a tool to perform the comprehensive analysis required to continue to advance the interests of autistic individuals and their families through legislation.

ALP volunteers, now including undergraduate students, are also busy exploring alternative methods to raise funds for autism research and supporting programs, as well as engaging in public relations.

The overwhelming response by volunteers is no great surprise to Mr. Sternfield, who observed that, “at the moment, there is a valuable untapped labor resource in law school students who are eager to get involved in important causes, such as the Autism Legislation Project. Those living their dream of attending law school and becoming lawyers are helping those who may not be able to realize their dreams due to a disability.”  The seeds planted by these student interns have created a special link between volunteer law school students and people with autism. Mr. Sternfield also noted that “what has been done here so far, in terms of what I call public enlightenment, is only about three grains of sand on a beach.”

Law School Students Take Active Role in Autism Legislation Project

Chicago, Illinois, August 9, 2004.  This summer at the Law Offices of David M. Sternfield, six volunteer law school students have devoted their time to bettering the lives of people with autism.  These students have been working tirelessly with the goal of improving autism legislation on both state and federal levels.  After researching such legislation in all 50 states, the group recognized the need for a cooperative, nationwide effort to better address the needs of those affected by autism.

The Autism Legislation Project (ALP) participants will focus on drafting legislation that specifically addresses the challenges of autistic individuals and their families.  Emphasis will be placed on examining those states with legislation already in place, with the goal of drafting a model legislative initiative based on both existing statutes and improvements made by ALP participants.  Once these participants have drafted the legislation, work will begin towards its implementation on both state and federal levels.

While gaining momentum, the ALP has broadened its scope by seeking law school students from around the country to volunteer their time during the upcoming academic year to work collectively on state and federal autism legislation.  The initial response to ads placed at law schools nationwide has been tremendous, and one of the Project’s goals is to have participants from all 50 states.

To Mr. Sternfield, the response the ALP has received so far is no great surprise, as he observed that “at the moment, there is a valuable untapped labor resource in law school students who are eager to get involved in important causes, such as the Autism Legislation Project.  This summer, a special link has been created between volunteer law school students and people with autism.  Those living their dream of attending law school and becoming lawyers are helping those who may not be able to realize their dreams due to a disability.  However, what has been done here so far, in terms of what I call public enlightenment, is only about three grains of sand on a beach.”

In addition to a legislative initiative, the volunteers are exploring alternative methods to raise funds for research, prevention, and treatment of autism.  The group has taken a creative approach by seeking to release music featuring prominent artists from around the world who are willing to aid the cause and make a difference.  The proceeds generated from this particular fundraiser will be donated to the University of Chicago Developmental Disorders Clinic.

Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 2005.  The Autism Legislation Project is well underway in its nationwide effort to create a comprehensive body of legislative research to aid in reforming autism legislation.  The ALP is the vision of attorney David M. Sternfield of Chicago, who recognized the need to improve autism legislation on both state and federal levels.  During the summer of 2004, law student volunteers devoted their time to researching the existing autism legislation in each state.  Since that time, this truly unique project has broadened its scope by engaging law students from around the country to participate year round.

The seeds planted by these student interns have created a special link between student volunteers and individuals with autism.  Through the ALP, volunteers who are living their dream of receiving higher education are helping those who may not be able to realize their dreams due to a disability. 

Volunteer law students continue to research existing statutes and pending legislation in state, federal, and international governments.  Upon the completion of research (estimated in January 2006), the ALP will begin drafting a model legislative initiative capable of being enacted and implemented in every state in the union.  The goal of this legislation is to obtain birth to death coverage for autistic individuals in all areas of life, including education, health care, insurance, vocational training, adult care, and respite services. 

A nationwide recruiting effort of undergraduate students has also proved to be a rich source of enthusiastic interns.  These students are using their diverse backgrounds in a variety of academic disciplines to assist in areas such as fundraising, public relations, technology, and further recruitment.  The ALP has filed for non-profit status with the IRS and is currently building its website in order to further advance the project towards achieving its goals. 

State legislators are excited about this creative approach to legislative research and are looking forward to working closely with the ALP to create and reform their autism-related legislation.  While many elected officials understand the need to reform the current state laws relating to autism, the current question is, What and how?  The positive responses Mr. Sternfield received during preliminary meetings with legislators in the Midwest continues to confirm his belief that the ALP will be the vehicle by which each state may “achieve enlightenment” via comprehensive autism legislation.  According to Mr. Sternfield, “it is our wish to race the states against each other to see which legislature is willing to ‘step up to the plate’ and really advance the lives of autistic individuals.”  From the numerous meetings Mr. Sternfield has already had, it is clear that states are ready to join the ALP in embracing this exciting challenge.