The Autism Friendly Communities initiative follows a series of principles aimed at fostering autism inclusion and empowerment in local communities. These are referred to as the Autism Friendly Town Commitment and includes:
- Creating a 3-year charter inclusion plan
- Undergoing understandable staff training
- Each participating business must create a social story
- Undergo an Environmental evaluation
- Participating businesses must be assistance dog-friendly
- The community must commit to enacting at least one change in the community
For more information about getting started with Autism Friendly Communities, check the video below.
In following these principles, it is important that interested communities understand the purpose behind them. This involves an awareness of the main barriers to inclusion for autistic people, including:
- Communication
- Predictability and control
- Sensory processing
- Judgement and attitudes
AsIAm have developed a central framework to assist and guide applicants throughout this process. Included within this are a resource pack and training modules for different parts of the project, namely for planning meetings, producing materials and creating autism-friendly spaces. A Committee for each interested community will oversee the Commitment’s implementation within their respective area. An Autism-Friendly Towns Coordinator, funded by SuperValu, will play a key role in mentoring interested communities to achieve their accreditation. This role will guide each committee along the process and to ensure The Autism Friendly Town Commitment principles are being followed. Support will be assessed through a series of one-to-one calls, webinars and additional supports when/if required. We will also support towns by visiting your autism-friendly town committee once for in-person training. As part of the accreditation process AsIAm will make 3 visits to each participating town for your town launch, in-person committee training and adjudication. Additional visits can be arranged at a fee through the Autism Friendly Town’s Coordinator.
Registration is free for this initiative, however in order to fully implement a project of this nature, it is important to note that some costs may be incurred throughout this project. Autism friendly town committees will be required to fundraise for those expenses. To register your interest, please email [email protected]. We look forward to continuing the journey towards an autism-friendly Ireland with you.
Welcome to our Autism Friendly Communities Portal.
Here you will find everything from notes to training to webinars that your community may find helpful.
Explore the heading below to find the documents you are looking for.
Click the links below to access the document you are looking for:
Criteria for Autism Friendly Town Award
AsIAm Autism Friendly Town Award Brand Guidelines
AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Award Guidelines on Publicity
Sample Local Autism-Friendly Town Award Press Release
Guidance on Running a Committee
AsIAm Autism Friendly Community Award Committee Contract
Town Code of Conduct for Committee Members
Sample Autism-Friendly Town Committee Terms of Reference (Clonakilty)
Balla Community Resource Centre Poster
Charities Regulatory Authority Information on Registration
Autism-Friendly Champion Logo / Sticker
Community Visual Guide Template
Click the link below for links to materials and training:
Autism Awareness Training- Understanding Autism for Communities and Organizations
How to Create a Visual Support
Communication
Community Champion Communication Visuals
Preparation
Balla Community Centre Visual Guide
Directions
Kitchen and Reception Directions Sign
Sensory
Balla Community Resource Centre Sensory Map
Toileting
Autism Awareness Training Module
Take a look at this 50 minute training session with AsIAm CEO, Adam Harris where he helps communities and organisations get a better understanding of Autism.
The passcode for this session is mBM%nMM5
Fill out the form below to access the module
Autism Friendly Communities Webinar
Watch back this informative webinar with AsIAm CEO, Adam Harris where he speaks about creating a Autism Friendly Community that offers people the #SameChance.
Watch here