TreeHouse urges you to ask your MP to support the Autism Bill on 27 February

Published by Nia for Tree House in Communities and also in Central Government, Education, Local Government

TreeHouse is delighted that Cheryl Gillan MP has brought the first ever autism law a step closer. Wednesday’s announcement that she will take forward the Autism Bill, with the backing of a number of autism charities, will be a breakthrough for the 1 in 100 children diagnosed with autism in the UK.
For the Bill to reach the next stage in the parliamentary process we need at least 100 MPs to vote in favour of the Bill when it is read on 27 February.
The Bill is being coordinated by the National Autistic Society and has strong support from TreeHouse and many other organisations across the autism community. Having Ms Gillan take forward this Bill is a massive success and is the result of 2,600 supporters who took the time to email their MPs and send a powerful message about the need for an autism law.
The Autism Bill aims to:
• Strengthen information about the numbers of people with autism and their needs, in order to improve local planning and commissioning of services
• Improve inter-agency working to secure effective transition for disabled young people who are moving from child to adult services
• Ensure access to appropriate support and services for people with autism in adult life
We need to ensure that at least 100 MPs are in the Commons for the reading of the Bill. As the reading is on a Friday there are often many MPs not in the Commons as they are doing constituency work. This means that we need your help by asking your MP to attend the reading on Friday 27 February. Without this, any chance for an Autism Bill will end.
The impact that the first round of campaigning had is illustrated by how far we have come, but it is essential that we maintain awareness of the Autism Bill and its importance to the autism community. Please go to the National Autistic Society’s website now to complete the campaigner action form and automatically send your MP an email about the Bill:
http://www.campaigns.autism.org.uk/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=10&ea.campaign.id=2285
Please contact your MP now and urge them to turn up on the day and vote in support of the Bill.
Thank you for your support!