Autism‑Europe recently hosted a high‑level online policy dialogue in partnership with the Cyprus presidency of the Council of the European Union, bringing together representatives from Cyprus and Ireland and Autism-Europe members from across the EU. The objective was to explore how autism‑specific strategies can drive meaningful change and contribute to broader disability reforms and EU-level priorities. With Cyprus holding the current EU presidency and Ireland preparing to take over, the event offered a timely opportunity to connect national experiences with European priorities.
The dialogue took place as the European Commission is soon to release its communication on “Enhancing the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities up to 2030”, which is expected to set a roadmap for the rest of its implementation. The event showcased a range of positive developments across these two countries while underlining the need for stronger and more targeted EU action for autistic people as recommended by the CRPD committee in 2025, particularly in the areas of education, employment, community‑based services, independent living, accessibility and the fight against misinformation. Autism-Europe stressed the importance of ensuring autistic people are fully involved in policymaking processes that affect their lives. The discussion also linked to ongoing reflections on the implementation of the European Disability Strategy, including the need for stronger monitoring frameworks and clearer guidance for Member States.
The dialogue took place during Autism Month, which participants highlighted as an opportunity not only to raise awareness but to reflect on how to build more inclusive societies that respect neurodiversity. A central part of the discussion focused on Cyprus’s ongoing national reforms in the field of disability, a key priority of its EU Presidency. Speaking on behalf of the Cyprus presidency, Maria Toumazou and Eliza Georgiadou presented a series of policy initiatives aimed at strengthening disability and autism support. It includes reforms to strengthen person-centred and community-based services, as well as supported decision-making, alongside changes to national legislation on benefits and services for persons with disabilities. It reflects a shift towards a more service‑oriented and rights‑based approach, focusing not only on financial support but also on practical assistance that enables participation and autonomy and moves Cyprus towards meeting its obligations under Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which recognises the right to legal capacity.
Learning about the Cypriot experience: use of EU funds for innovation and autism strategy
One of the concrete initiatives presented was AKTidA, a family‑centred intervention and support centre for autistic children and their families, launched in 2021 as part of a broader shift towards community-based service provision and co‑funded through ESF+. Designed as a social innovation project, AKTidA provides coordinated psychological, social and home‑based support, delivered primarily in families’ own homes and everyday community settings. The model responds to real‑life challenges faced by families, supporting them from the moment of diagnosis and helping them navigate daily routines, education, and social participation. Since its launch, AKTidA has reached hundreds of families across Cyprus, including those living in remote areas, demonstrating how EU funding can translate into tangible local impact.
Cyprus also shared its experience in developing the country’s first national autism strategy and action plan, approved in April 2024 as a five-year framework complementing the broader national disability strategy. The strategy was created through an extensive consultative process involving multiple ministries, public bodies, professionals, civil society organisations and autistic people themselves. It reflects a growing recognition of the need for targeted autism-specific actions within wider disability policies. It includes 53 actions across seven thematic areas covering the entire life course: research and knowledge, early identification and intervention, healthcare, education, social protection and independent living, employment, and participation in social and cultural life. Importantly, the strategy includes structured monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability and follow‑up, helping to bridge the gap between policy commitments and real‑world outcomes. One notable outcome highlighted was an increase in the number of children supported to access mainstream education.
Learning about the Irish Autism Innovation Strategy
Ireland’s perspective was presented by Lianne Meagher Reddy, who outlined the country’s Autism Innovation Strategy, published in 2024. The Irish strategy was developed to complement broader disability and human rights policies by focusing on areas where autistic people’s needs were not being fully addressed by mainstream services. Its aim is to make a measurable difference in the daily lives of autistic people while also improving how public services respond to autism more generally.
The strategy contains 83 actions organised across four pillars. These include building an autism‑affirming society through increased understanding and training; improving equality of access to public services such as education, healthcare and employment; fostering accessible and inclusive communities; and strengthening self‑advocacy, family support, research and access to assistive technologies. A key feature of the Irish approach is its strong commitment to co‑design, with autistic people playing a central role in the oversight and monitoring of implementation. Dedicated governance structures have been put in place to track progress and support coordination across government departments.
The need for a strategic approach to autism at the EU level
Speaking on behalf of our Irish member AsIAm and Autism‑Europe, Adam Harris emphasised that while service systems and legal frameworks differ across Member States, autistic people across the EU experience common barriers to recognition, accessibility, education, employment and quality of life. Adam highlighted that the EU has a vital role to play in harmonising professional training, improving cross‑border recognition of autism and disability, supporting research that is co‑produced with autistic people, and enabling the sharing of best practice and innovation. He highlighted the rapid growth of autism‑related misinformation as an urgent pan‑European concern, as well as the need for stronger accessibility standards, inclusive education, and meaningful labour‑market participation. Recommitting to investment in autism advocacy, data collection, and independent monitoring within the EU disability strategy are key priorities identified by Autism-Europe in the context of the dedicated consultation. He concluded by welcoming calls from EU policy-makers for a dedicated EU autism strategy as a complement to national strategies, capable of providing focus, accountability and momentum for long‑term systemic change across Europe.
The dialogue highlighted that progress on autistic people’s rights depends on sustained political commitment, meaningful involvement of autistic people and their families, and the effective availability use of EU frameworks and funding, including adequate resources in the next long‑term EU budget to fully implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Drawing on experiences from Cyprus and Ireland, speakers showed how national autism strategies add value by addressing gaps, improving coordination and raising visibility, while also emphasising that mainstreaming autistic people’s concerns is essential. At the same time, recurring challenges were highlighted, notably around prioritisation, resourcing and translating strategies into tangible improvements in people’s lived experiences, reinforcing the importance of collaboration, coordination and shared learning across Europe.
You can watch a recording of the online event here.