Washington led the rally. She was joined by Sue Brenner, also co-president of the Autism Society's Harrisburg chapter, and Martie Worley of the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens. Emily Purdy, a Lower Paxton Township sixth-grader with Asperger's syndrome, and Ronald Parks, a Darby resident who had an experience with police similar to Washington's son during an epileptic seizure, provided personal accounts of their disabilities. Rep. Joe Markosek, D-Allegheny, spoke in favor of the legislation as well. Caltagirone's bill also would require police to receive training regarding disability civil rights laws and how local disability advocacy groups can be of assistance to police in the performance of their job.
Education is the key.
House Bill 117, which is supported by numerous law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups across the state, was passed by the House in the 1997-98 session and again in March 1999.