AsIAm are delighted to announce that the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and ATU (Donegal Letterkenny campus) have been recognised in the first stage of the Autism Friendly HEI Award and so have been granted the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge.
Both have worked with AsIAm to reach this milestone. With each HEI having submitted an application to the Autism Friendly Accreditation Panel, some of the work that has taken place to date includes implementing a steering committee within the HEI, engaging autistic students and staff, being involved the Autism Friendly HEI Network and the hugely successful Autism Acceptance Festival in March 2024.
RCSI and ATU are committed to supporting autistic students so that everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential. A key aim of the Autism Friendly Award is to encourage HEIs to create a truly inclusive culture where the autistic community are accepted, understood and celebrated.
AsIAm are looking forward to working with both of the HEI’s over the next three years, where each HEI will submit and work towards their individual Action Plan and receive the ‘Autism Friendly Accredited HEI’ Award.
AsIAm CEO Adam Harris commented:
‘Ireland is now seeing a generation of autistic young people, who are attending mainstream school and have the expectation of having the opportunity to attend further education. It is vital that higher and further education become more accessible to – and inclusive of – the Autistic community. We are delighted to recognise RCSI and ATU Donegal as a recipient of the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge. This award recognises the commitment from both further education institutes to date, and their ongoing work to gain the Autism Friendly HEI Award. HEIs who gain the badge are stating that they know the importance of building an inclusive culture and are working on implementing a whole-campus approach to autism accessibility through our 9 Principle framework. Each HEI are now working on their 3-year plan to ensure that autistic students and staff all have the same chance; to attend further education, excel, access employment after their studies, and to be able to work in an inclusive environment.’
“RCSI is proud to be granted an Autism Friendly HEI Candidate Badge. We are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the University and continue to develop our inclusive culture. We look forward to further enhancing supports for autistic students and staff at RCSI, and thank AsIAm for their support and guidance.”
Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor and CEO/Registrar of RCS
“I am delighted to see the Donegal Letterkenny campus of ATU being granted an Autism Friendly HEI Candidate Badge, recognising our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we look forward to continuing to develop an inclusive culture for all. We are determined to further enhance supports for autistic students and staff across all campuses of ATU. We are deeply grateful to AsIAm for their support and guidance.”
Dr Orla Flynn, President, ATU
