Belfast Council has agreed to become an Autism Champion for the city.
Alliance Councillor Ross McMullan received unanimous backing from elected representatives on an autism motion at the council’s Strategic policy and Resources Committee.
The motion states: “As part of our commitment in the Belfast Agenda to become an accessible city for everyone, and our further commitment to a COVID-19 recovery that is inclusive of disabled people, older people and carers – this council will achieve Autism NI’s Autism Impact Award and become an Autism Impact Champion, to ensure that every autistic individual feels welcome and comfortable accessing the range of services and facilities we offer.”
There are an estimated 30,000 autistic people in Northern Ireland, with one in 24 children on the spectrum here. Autism is not a learning disability, although statistics show around one third of autistic people have a learning disability.
Autism NI runs the Impact Awards scheme which celebrates, awards and promotes organisations, including councils, that support the autism community.
Councillor McMullan reminded the committee that last summer it passed a motion calling on the council to provide an accessible Belfast for all by 2035, with a report on the details to be returned to councillors in the coming weeks.
He said: “Before the pandemic, research estimated that around 80 percent of autistic individuals experience social isolation, and this not only affects that individual, but their whole family, who may experience barriers to accessing services due to the misunderstanding around the condition.
“In real life situations, this means barriers to family days out, to places or locations that do not provide for autistic individuals.
“Autism NI have told me autistic people and their families have been disproportionately affected by Covid 19, so anecdotally, that feeling of social isolation has only gotten worse.”
He added: “This is as much about culture and behaviour change to how organisations, including councils, plan and program. So often we think about the equality screening and the legal obligation to ensure access and to make sure there is no disability discrimination.
“But yet inclusion and accessibility can only be achieved when we build participation into our plans from the start.”
