Autistic residents working to make Hackney autism friendly
Autistic people can face discrimination and often feel left out, but in Hackney local services are trying to change that by working with autistic people to develop an autism strategy for the borough.
Hackney Council and local health services are working with a group of autistic residents, carers and the Hackney Autism Alliance to draft the bough’s first ever autism strategy which will make Hackney more autism friendly.
Hackney Autism Alliance is urging more autistic Hackney residents to get involved as World Autism Acceptance Day approaches on Sunday 2 April.
Panda Mery, an autistic resident, said: “There are simple changes organisations and people can make to improve the lives of autistic people. Celebrating differences, designing new services with autistics, tackling bullying, offering mentoring, improving the environment and staff attitudes can all help. Although the strategy will be for residents in City and Hackney, an autism-friendly Hackney will also benefit people who work here and visitors.”
Amanda Elliot, Intelligence and Signposting Manager at Healthwatch Hackney and a parent of young autistic man said: “We have five great autistic representatives on the board who are already getting managers in Hackney to view autism differently.”
We are working hard to ensure Hackney is a place for everyone. A borough more accepting and supporting of its autistic residents will help support that and enable better well-being for autistic people. As world autism day approaches, I would encourage autistic residents and carers to get involved, share their first-hand experiences and help shape an autism friendly Hackney.
To find out more email info@autistichackney.org or visit www.autistichackney.org.