Autism Friendly HEIs
Higher education should be accessible and inclusive for everyone. The AsIAm Autism Friendly HEI Award supports Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to create more inclusive campuses for Autistic students and staff by embedding understanding, accessibility and good practice across the whole institution.
The Award provides a practical, evidence-informed framework for HEIs to understand their current practice, identify barriers and make meaningful, sustainable improvements to the student and staff experience.
What is the Autism Friendly HEI Award?
The Autism Friendly HEI Award is a whole-campus framework for inclusion. It recognises that creating an Autism friendly institution goes beyond individual student support and requires action across the wider higher education community.
Watch the Award explainer on YouTube
The Award supports HEIs to:
- Build Autism understanding and acceptance across the institution
- Identify and reduce barriers to participation
- Strengthen inclusive teaching, learning and student support
- Consider the accessibility of physical and sensory environments
- Embed the voice and experiences of Autistic students in decision-making
- Challenge stigma
- Develop sustainable approaches to inclusion across the campus
Nine principles of an Autism Friendly HEI
These nine principles show what is possible for HEIs in Ireland:
- Encourage and enable Autistic students to transition and participate in HEI programmes.
- Support and build capacity to equip Autistic students to meet the academic challenges of everyday HEI life.
- Support and build capacity to equip Autistic students to meet the social challenges of everyday HEI life.
- Seek to establish an Autism-friendly operational environment.
- Seek to combat the stigma around Autism and recognise the diverse experiences of Autistic individuals.
- Develop understanding and relevant knowledge and skills within the HEI community.
- Establish channels so that Autistic students can have a voice in various aspects of HEI life.
- Increase the employability of Autistic graduates.
- Build capacity throughout the HEI to support Autistic employees.
Become an Autism Friendly HEI
AsIAm supports HEIs through a structured process of self-evaluation, action planning, implementation and review over three years.
HEIs work across the nine principles of an Autism Friendly HEI to assess their existing practice, identify priorities and develop an action plan for improvement. Progress is supported through evidence, with institutions demonstrating how they are embedding meaningful change.
The accreditation process is supported by an independent Autism Friendly HEI Accreditation Panel, providing external oversight and quality assurance to promote consistency, transparency and credibility.
The Award is designed as a journey of continuous improvement, helping HEIs build on existing strengths and continue developing their approach to Autism inclusion.
Whether your institution is beginning its Autism inclusion journey or building on existing good practice, the AsIAm Autism Friendly HEI Award provides a national framework to support meaningful and sustainable change.
Participating institutions
Interested in becoming an Autism Friendly HEI?
If you would like to find out more about our Autism Friendly HEI Award, please contact Katie.
Email Katie