Several cities across Europe are organising a wide range of events - from bell-ringing ceremonies to landmark buildings lit up in blue - to mark the United Nations’ designated World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. Find out more about the 'Autism. More common than you think' campaign and activities across Europe for World Autism Awareness Day in 2013.
The 10th Autism-Europe International Congress will be held from September 26-28, 2013, in Budapest. The Congress will focus on the latest developments in the field of autism, including causes, genetics, diagnosis, early intervention, evidence-based therapies, education, support, employment, rights and policies.
The programme will also include sessions on new developments in information and communications technologies, best practices in the delivery of services, and ensuring quality of life for people with autism as they get older. The Congress will explore ‘new dimensions for autism’ in which people with autism and their families can fully enjoy their human rights and a better quality of life.
The Congress aims to reach as wide an audience as possible, including professionals, parents and self-advocates. Autism-Europe’s congresses are traditionally held every three years. This year’s Congress is an historic occasion, marking both the 10th anniversary of the Congress, and the 30th anniversary of Autism-Europe.
Early bird registration prices are available until May 31, 2013.
More information & register for the Congress (English & Hungarian only)
Numerous media reports have claimed that, Adam Lanza, the young man who killed 20 children 6 adults at an elementary school in the United States on Friday, had Asperger syndrome.
While claims that Lanza had Asperger syndrome (an autism spectrum disorder) remain unverified at this point in time, Autism-Europe urges the wider community to be cautious about making links between autism and violent crime.
On November 6, 2012, the 'Towards and Autism Strategy for Europe' seminar will be held at the European Parliament to present successful national strategies for autism and discuss the possibility of a Europe-wide strategy for autism.
As any family affected by autism will tell you, searching for and coordinating services for a person with autism – such as adapted education and training, and psychological, medical and dental services can be a full-time job.
There are currently around 3.3 million people in the European Union who have autism, yet in most European countries there are not enough basic services to meet their needs, and coordination of services at national level is often poor.
Wales and some other European nations have developed successful national strategies to identify and meet these needs. By coordinating national policy across a range of fields – education, health, justice, employment, social care, research and others – they ensure a better quality of life for people with autism.
The seminar on November 6, presented by Autism-Europe, in conjunction with Autism Cymru and the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership, aims to facilitate the development of strategies for autism around Europe.
During the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012, parents of children with autism are calling for increased funding and services to support older people who have autism.
There are currently around 3.3 million people in the European Union who have autism, yet in most European countries there are no (or very few) residences and services for older people with autism.
More information on the event & report on autism and ageing
Want to get fit, support a good cause and have fun, but don’t have much spare time? Do all three at once by running (or walking) the Brussels Marathon for Autism-Europe !
The Brussels Marathon (42km), half marathon (21km) and mini marathon (4km) will be held on Sunday October 7, 2012.
If you are not a keen runner, participating in the mini-marathon (just 4km) is a great way to enjoy a fun day out, increase your fitness and support the important work of Autism-Europe.
Autism-Europe board member and self-advocate, Pietro, recently gave a presentation on the challenges of self-representation to the European disability movement.
The presentation, titled ‘Self-determination, representation and personal autonomy for persons with autism requiring intensive support in advocating for themselves’ explains the challenges faced by people with autism in representing themselves as self-advocates. It also provides some guidance on the articles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that relate to providing support in decision-making.
Pietro, (whose surname is withheld for privacy reasons), gave the presentation at the European Disability Forum’s Annual General Assembly in Copenhagen. The presentation was given as part of a forum on improving self-determination for people with disabilities in Europe who live in community care centres and institutions.
Today, the European Disability forum will launch the 'Freedom Guide'; a guide to the barriers to freedom of movement faced by people with disabilities in Europe.
Donata Vivanti, Vice President of the European Disability Forum (and former President of Autism-Europe) talks about why freedom of movement must be increased:
The Disability Intergroup and the European Disability Forum organises the official launch Wednesday 29 February at 7pm (ASP Building Ground Floor) in the European Parliament in Brussels.
To mark the European Day of Persons with Disabilities, the European Commission organised in cooperation with the European Disability Forum (EDF) a policy conference in Brussels on 1 and 2 December. During two days, representatives from the disability movement, experts with disabilities and decision-makers focus on the effects of the crisis: “Europe’s way out of the crisis: the disability rights perspective.” Representatives of Autism-Europe were there to call on access to education and employment for persons with ASD.
For more see the press-release
Amidst the recent budget cuts and austerity measures being implemented in many European countries, people with Autism are suffering significant cuts to the basic services they depend on for housing, health and education. How long can we go on cutting spending on the most vulnerable people in society? Can sacrificing human rights to save money possibly achieve positive outcomes? Autism-Europe warns that the long-term costs may exceed the short-term savings, and meanwhile people with Autism and other disabilities will pay a high price.
During the ‘European Days of Autism’ to be held throughout Europe this October, the European Union and national governments are being called upon to fulfill their recent commitments to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
Amidst the recent budget cuts and austerity measures being implemented in many European countries, people with Autism Spectrum Disorders have seen significant cuts to the basic services they depend on for housing, health and education.
27/09/2011
Results from a research project have shown that Facebook can be used to help adults with Autism to establish social connections and make friends.
The two-year Autism Connections Europe (ACE) research project (nicknamed the ‘ACEbook project’), has helped people with Autism to overcome social fears, and improve their social and communication skills, moods and level of independence.
The project enabled adults with Autism to meet and form friendships based on common interests through Facebook, and then to meet regularly in person in various locations around Europe, to deepen the friendships they formed online.
Under normal circumstances, many people with Autism Spectrum Disorders find it very difficult to establish social connections and maintain friendships...
For more, see the press-release.
Autism-Europe’s Annual General Assembly will take place, on Saturday 16 April 2011, in the afternoon, from 14.00-18.00.
2011 – Autism-Europe celebrates World Autism Awareness Day with a Global Bell Ringing in cooperation with Autism Speaks and NYSE Euronext.
Autism-Europe in cooperation with Autism Speaks and NYSE Euronext highlighted the annual World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), a day prior to WAAD, and Autism Awareness Month with a global bell ringing across NYSE Euronext markets in Europe and the United States for the second year.
For more information, please see the press-releases.
The European Commission has published a Call for Proposals for pilot projects on employment of persons with autism spectrum disorders.
See the website: http://europa.eu
See the website: http://ec.europa.eu
See the webste: http://ec.europa.eu
See the website: www.disability-europe.net
See the website: www.un.org
Autism-Europe is happy to announce the parallel event “Touches of Autism”
the V International Art Exhibition of People with Autism.
Organised by Autismo Burgos, the Art Exhibition is a special feature of the
IX International Congress Autism-Europe.
For more information:
http://www.autismoburgos.org/
