Autism Acceptance Month
By Katharine Macy, Young Liberals Accessiblity and Diversity Officer
Originally published by UK Liberal Democrats
This motion called not just for support, but for acceptance for autistic people.
This Autism Acceptance Month comes soon after a Young Liberals motion, Autism Support, was passed at Liberal Democrat conference.
This motion called not just for support, but for acceptance for autistic people.
Autistic people are more likely than the general population to have other learning difficulties, mental health illnesses and even physical disabilities.
These create a large amount of barriers for our community.
We also face huge problems in other areas of life.
Only 16% of diagnosed autistic individuals are in full time employment, and 32% in part time employment.
Only 16% of diagnosed autistic individuals are in full time employment, and 32% in part time employment. Yet 77% of unemployed autistic people want to work. We need real action, now.
Only 8% of autistic people feel that their lives have improved in the decade since the 2009 "Autism Act" was passed into law - it doesn't go far enough.
I'm so pleased that Young Liberals' Autism Support policy being passed means that the Liberal Democrats will be calling for changes that autistic people have been fighting for for too long.
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to provide better guidance on supporting autistic people in the workplace; to cut waiting lists for autism diagnosis by providing more funding; and increase training for teachers about autism.
The motion also calls for a wide range of changes across society. You can find the full motion as passed at conference here.
This Autism Acceptance Month, I'm excited for the road ahead. The road to autism acceptance is long, but it is liberal.
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