ACTION ALERT: Restraint & Seclusion Legislation National Call-In Day this Thursday, January 21st

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends, Advocates and Community Members,

In one week, Congress will come back in session. The Autistic Self Advocacy

Network (ASAN), in conjunction with the Alliance to Prevent Restraint,

Aversive Interventions and Seclusion (APRAIS), is asking you to join us in a

National Call-In Day on Thursday, January 21st to tell your members of

Congress to support the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in

Schools Act (H.R. 4247/S.2860) introduced last month by Representatives

(D-CA) and Mc-Rodgers (R-WA) and Senator Chris

Dodd (D-CT). This legislation would provide students with and without

disabilities vital protections against abuse in schools. We are providing

details on how to contact your members of Congress -- please distribute this

announcement widely.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Please call this coming Thursday and encourage your friends, family and

coworkers to participate by dialing the Capitol Switchboard at

and asking for your Congressional representative to Co-Sponsor H.R. 4247,

and your senators to Co-Sponsor S. 2860.

• To find out the names of your US Senators and Representative, click here

(link to www.congress.org)

• Ask for the offices of your US Senators and Representative

• Ask to speak to the person working on education issues

• Identify yourself as a constituent and the organization that you

represent (if any)

Message: “ I am calling to urge (Senator y) to cosponsor S.2860, legislation

preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools.”

Message: “I am calling to urge (Representative z) to cosponsor HR 4247,

legislation preventing harmful use of restraint and seclusion in schools.”

Thanks for your advocacy. Increasing congressional support for these bills

will help move them through the legislative process towards enactment.

Please call on January 21, 2010 and tell your friends and family to join

you. If you are interested in doing more, please e-mail us at

info@... for information about how you can arrange a

meeting with your representatives to explain why this bill is essential or

visit www.tash.org/aprais to learn more.

Regards,

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and the APRAIS Coalition