Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism
We have been frequently requested to attend and provide information to this Committee
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.
Action 83 aims to research crisis situations among families and young people with a disability including autism.
We are currently designing this research and commissioned a literature review as part of this work.
Previous work on Autism by the NDA
We have previously published reports and guidance on autism.
About the Autism Innovation Strategy
The Autism Innovation Strategy provides a framework for cross-government action on autism over the next 18 months, and seeks to complement wider disability policy, including the forthcoming National Disability Strategy, by focusing on areas where there are bespoke needs for autistic people.
The objective of the strategy is to identify and deliver tangible solutions to address the challenges faced by autistic people across Ireland. It contains 83 actions across the following four pillars:
- Autism-affirming society
- Equality of access to public services
- Accessible, inclusive communities
- Building capacity
The strategy was developed following consultations with a wide range of stakeholders, including people with autism. The NDA contributed to both the 2022 and 2024 public consultations, providing submissions to both. The NDA has also been assigned responsibility for implementing several actions under the strategy, covering a range of areas, including data, justice, research, universal design and employment.
The Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, a stakeholder group which is majority neurodivergent, will play a key role in monitoring the implementation of the strategy. The Autism Innovation Strategy Steering Committee comprising representatives from relevant Government Departments and statutory agencies as well as from the Oversight and Advisory Group, will oversee implementation of the strategy. The NDA are part of this group.
The Autism Innovation Strategy can be accessed on the gov.ie website.
Submissions
We made a submission on the Autism Innovations Strategy that can be viewed here.