Autism Innovation Strategy

Our role under the Autism Innovation Strategy

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is responsible for the implementation of 12 actions under the strategy and is supporting implementation of a further three. We also are part of the Steering Committee for the Strategy.

Actions we are leading on

The 12 actions we are leading on include:

• Action 1: To inform the development of a national autism acceptance and understanding campaign, we will synthesise existing data on attitudes towards autistic people in Ireland. We will consult with autistic people to ensure that this exercise is reflective of their lived experience.
• Action 5: To promote improved understanding of autism across the public sector, we will introduce a new introductory e-learning module on disability equality. This will provide public sector employers and employees with the knowledge and skills to support autistic people and other people with disabilities in an effective, respectful and inclusive manner. This module will be co-designed with autistic people and other people with a disability and will be distributed widely across the public sector.
• Action 6: To develop a coherent, neuro-affirmative approach to autism training in the public sector, we will coordinate the development of a good practice guidance document. This document will inform the provision of future autism training initiatives across the public sector and will be developed in consultation with the autistic community.

• Action 12: To demonstrate that the needs of autistic people are an integral part of the design of the built environment, products, services, and information communication technologies, we will
  • Develop and publish practical examples of how autistic people’s needs can be incorporated within the concept of Universal Design, and
  • Ensure that the Code of Practice on Accessible Public Buildings and the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies include consideration of the needs of autistic people.

• Action 13: To provide a common terminology framework relating to autism across the public sector, we will review the National Disability Authority’s Advice Paper on Disability Language and Terminology. We will do this in consultation with autistic people to ensure that it reflects the preferences of the autistic community.
• Action 32: To enable employers to better support autistic employees in the workplace, we will review existing resources relating to autism-friendly workplaces. As part of this review, we will identify gaps in information and/or the need to update information. This will include guidance on accommodating people with sensory processing differences in open plan offices.
• Action 57: To improve understanding of autistic people within the justice system, we will revise existing guidance for justice professionals on how to communicate with and support autistic people. We will do this in collaboration with autistic people.
• Action 79: To lay the groundwork for the collection of accurate data on autism, we will establish a focus group with autistic people to develop appropriate survey questions on autism.
• Action 80: To better understand existing data on autism in Ireland and methods of measuring the prevalence of autism, we will compile and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of existing datasets on autism in Ireland. We will do this in consultation with the autistic community and in line with the actions set out in the National Equality Data Strategy.
• Action 81: To improve our understanding of the key health challenges facing autistic people, and their associated impact on life expectancy, we will invest in research that informs policy and practice around appropriate health and social care services and supports for autistic people. This research will include a review of international literature and will be in line with the priorities of autistic people.
• Action 82: To provide a robust evidence base for neuro-affirmative practice in supporting non-speaking and minimally speaking autistic people to access public services, we will commission research to examine best practice in providing public services to non-speaking or minimally speaking autistic people. This research will be co-designed with autistic people.
• Action 83: To identify best practice in supporting families and young autistic people and other young people with disabilities who have high support needs, including mental health support needs, we will conduct collaborative research with autistic people and other people with disabilities to examine:
  
  • The nature and extent of young autistic people and young people with other disabilities facing a crisis
  • The adequacy of the services and supports currently provided by the Health Service Executive and Tusla – Child and Family Agency for autistic children and young people and for children and young people with other disabilities in family crisis situations, including access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, and
  • The demand, availability and appropriateness of existing respite and other community services to meet their needs

Actions we are supporting

The three actions we are supporting include:

• Action 2: To promote greater acceptance and understanding of autism in Ireland, we will initiate a national autism acceptance and understanding campaign. This will be co-designed with the autistic community. (Lead: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)
• Action 9: To better support autistic people in accessing health and social care services, we will provide training to Health Service Executive Access Officers on the Health Service Executive’s revised National Guidelines on Accessible Health and Social Care Services. This training will place a particular emphasis on enhancing the skills and competencies of Access Officers in understanding autism and the supports that autistic people may require when accessing health and social care services. (Lead: Health Service Executive)
• Action 40: To ensure equitable opportunities for all candidates, including autistic people, we will continue to enhance our recruitment and selection processes for the full range of job types within our mandate by taking a Universal Design-led approach in collaboration with our clients and candidates. (Lead: Public Appointments Service)