Autism-Europe aisbl is an international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of persons with autism and their families and to help them improve their quality of life.
Autism-Europe plays a key role in raising public awareness, and in influencing the European decision-makers on all issues relating to autism, including the promotion of the rights of people with autism and other disabilities involving complex dependency needs.
Autism-Europe organizes throughout the year a number of events in order to allow its members to meet, enrich their network and exchange knowledge and expertise. Activities – such as high level conferences - are also organized to raise awareness of the general public and decision makers.
See the website: www.disability-europe.net
See the webste: http://ec.europa.eu
See the website: http://ec.europa.eu
See the website: http://europa.eu
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
On Monday April 2, Europeans joined others around the world in calling for increased awareness of autism through buildings lit up blue at night and bell-ringing ceremonies at stock exchanges.
See the photos from World Autism Awareness Day 2012
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Details of our members' activities for World Autism Awareness Day (click here)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
