Autism-Europe (AE) is celebrating the UN World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on 2 April, and throughout the month of April 2023. This year also marks a special occasion, as AE celebrates its 40th anniversary. Carried out alongside AE’s members, this year’s campaign “Building an inclusive society for autistic people” is therefore an opportunity to reflect on the advances made so far for the autism community as well as crucially the multiple challenges that remain to improve the lives of autistic people across Europe.
As outlined by the campaign manifesto, to create a society that is truly inclusive of autistic people and their families, AE calls on European and national policymakers and other stakeholders to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights and needs of autistic people in Europe, according to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
AE’s campaign seeks to amplify the voice of autistic people and their families, its members, and other stakeholders within the autism community through different activities that are carried out since the end of March: a photo exhibition and a conference at the European Parliament and the online #AutismDay2023 campaign.
Photo exhibition at the European Parliament
Inaugurated on 28 March, a one-week photo exhibition took place at the European Parliament as part of AE´s campaign ‘Building an inclusive society for autistic people’, displaying twenty-five photographs from ten talented artists, all autistic or members of the autism community. The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola closed the inauguration and welcomed all of the attendees who had come from across Europe to discover the photographs highlighting the lived experiences of autistic people.
The twenty-five pictures highlight talents and enthusiasm. They also offer some precious insight into the lives of autistic people and their families. Thanks to these testimonies, the viewer perceives the richness of their difference and what they can bring to society, as well as their desire to be heard and empowered. However, some also call out the stigmatisation and exclusion that autistic people still too often experience.
This exhibition aims at promoting a better understanding of autism and its diversity to ensure that autistic people are accepted and valued for who they are. You can check the 25 photos and read about the photographers in this booklet
AE called for promoting an inclusive society at its conference at the European Parliament
Hosted by Spanish MEP Rosa Estaràs –Vice-chair of the Disability Intergroup – on 30 March, we welcomed young autistic representatives and professionals from Spain, researchers Peter Vermeulen and Vincent Grimaldi de Puget as well as a representative from Autismo España and AE Vice President Zsuzsanna Szilvásy. The speakers provided a holistic approach to the theme of inclusion, underlining the need to challenge biases and prejudices, as well as to shift paradigms to foster acceptance, a good quality of life and full participation of autistic people in society. They also highlighted the necessity to have coordinated policies and to promote accessibility across sectors, at national and EU-levels, to make it reality.
Autism-Europe highlighted some key building blocks to achieve a truly inclusive society for and with autistic people. One of the pre-requisites is to value autistic people and foster understanding of autism in society to contribute to removing barriers, notably by providing adequate awareness raising and trainings across all sectors. Being part of society means to be empowered to make decisions and contribute, which entails upholding the legal capacity of autistic people, including their right to vote and stand for election.
Autistic people must also have access to the right support services at each stage of life to be able to live independently in the community and accessibility must be promoted in all areas. AE therefore calls for a strategic and integrated European policy approach to address the needs of autistic people across Europe, in line with the UNCRPD and international recommendations.
Autism-Europe also highlighted the fact that the European disability card would be highly relevant for people with invisible disabilities. In that regard, we encourage all stakeholders to take part in the on-going consultation concerning the European Disability card that is still open until 5 May 2023. Share your views and support widely this initiative!
How to support the 2023 campaign?
AE has prepared a campaign toolkit that explains its objectives and includes communication materials that can be shared in support of the 2023 campaign throughout the year. Please find the toolkit here.
AE invites all interested stakeholders and EU policy-makers to join the campaign for #AutismDay2023 and show their support for a better society for autistic people and their families, notably by sharing its policy messages and awareness-raising materials.
Photos: cortesy of AE