AFAA Applauds Congressman Mike Carey’s Commitment to Neurodivergent Americans

Congressman Carey and the House Ways and Means Committee Hold a Hearing About Breaking Barriers for Neurodivergent Americans who Want to Work

The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, Work and Welfare held a hearing on September 9, 2025, relating to breaking down barriers for employment to neurodivergent Americans. Americans for Autism Advocacy (AFAA) applauds the work of subcommittee Chairman, Congressman Mike Carey (R-Ohio) for holding such a hearing.

Why AFAA Supports Congressman Carey

 For some neurodivergent adults, they rely on programs like Social Security to support themselves if a medical provider finds a diagnosis that prevents them from entering the workforce. Congressman Carey mentioned in his testimony that this is the first such hearing on return to work policies for Social Security since 2015.

Congressman Carey notes that a considerable portion of Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) and Disability Insurance (DI) recipients are career-oriented, with 18 percent reportedly prepared to transition off benefits within five years. AFAA advocates for both federal and state policies that reduce barriers to gainful employment for neurodivergent Americans.

AFAA fully supports the passage of the 2025 version of the Protecting Americans from Social Security Clawbacks Act. This bill represents an initial measure to enable Americans with disabilities, including individuals who are neurodivergent, to re-enter the workforce without risking the loss of their benefits. The bill targets overpayments which are common in SSI and DI. The legislation was previously introduced in the 118^th Congress, though no vote was conducted at that time.

AFAA’s Solutions for Helping Neurodivergent Americans Enter the Workforce

AFAA has other recommended solutions to Congress to help neurodivergent Americans re-enter the workforce.  Our proposed solutions are:

1. Cleaning up the murky definition of intellectual disability in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Eliminating this gray area would provide clear guidance to employers relating to neurodivergent discrimination.
2. Tackling frivolous litigation in the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 relating to physical building and website access. Disabled Americans who were wronged by lawyers should be able to sue in federal court to recover attorney’s fees. Federal judges should have power to refer attorneys who are found guilty of bringing such claims to their respective state bars. A 2021 incident of such conduct in Florida resulted in an attorney being suspended for 18 months by their bar association.
3. Encourage the U.S. Department of Labor to create an education campaign relating to reasonable accommodations for neurodivergent individuals. Most accommodations for neurodivergent individuals are cost neutral such as:
   1. Reducing the sound level in a work environment.
   2. A special office or work area that reduces light.
   3. Flexible scheduling.
   4. Telecommuting.
   5. Additional channels to raise workplace concerns.
4. Request the Secretary of Labor to investigate the increase of discrimination complaints filed by neurodivergent employees with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC reported that a total of 488 charges related to Autism or neurodivergent discrimination were filed in 2023 compared to 53 in 2013. A report should be provided to Congress on recommended solutions to reduce the number of complaints filed with the EEOC.

These solutions can help increase the number of disabled adults entering the workforce. Congressman Carey’s efforts are only the start. If you truly care about increasing disability unemployment, please call your Members of Congress today.