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 ensures effective liaison among more than 80 member associations of parents of persons with autism in 30 European countries, including 20 Member States of the European Union, governments and European and international institutions.

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 rights of people with autism and other disabilities involving complex dependency needs:

Ø   through its publications

*  MAGAZINE "LINK" published and circulating in English, French and Portuguese

* CHARTER FOR PERSONS WITH AUTISM formally adopted by the European Parliament as a Written Declaration (May 1996)

*  CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE on the prevention of violence against persons with autism (1998)

* DOCUMENT ON ASD (2008), drafted by an international team of experts. This document updates and replaces the 'Description of Autism' (2000)

* POSITION PAPERS on family needs (2001), health, ageing, inclusion, education, employment (EYPD2003) and care for persons with ASD (2007)

*  AWARENESS LEAFLET (EYPD2003, updated 2006)

* AUTISM AND EU CASE LAW on the right to education and the TOOLKIT for parents and self-advocates (2006)

Ø   by organising events and actions at European level: 

*  An INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS in Europe every three/four years

* Exchanges and TRAINING programmes to facilitate the exchange of experience and knowledge between members

* AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS on the defence of the rights of people with disabilities involving complex dependency needs

*  SURVEYS among its members to analyse different forms of discrimination (employment, education, health…) faced by people with autism and disabilities with complex dependency needs and their families

*  Participating as founding member in the European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL)

Ø by promoting actions and  initiatives  (client oriented service delivery, scientific research, etc,) with the aim of improving the quality of life of persons with autism and their families

Ø  Activities within international and European Organisations

Autism-Europe collaborates on a permanent basis with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in order to improve knowledge of autism, and notably contributed to the revision of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

www.who.int

European Union

Autism-Europe represents its member organisations at European institutions, notably the European Commission and the European Parliament.

www.europa.eu.int

Council of Europe

Autism-Europe enjoys NGO participative status with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. In July 2002 Autisme Europe lodged a COLLECTIVE COMPLAINT with the European Committee of Social Rights. Autism-Europe is the first disability NGO that has undertaken such action.

www.coe.int

World Autism Organisation (WAO)

In 1998, Autism-Europe actively initiated the setting-up of a worldwide network to promote cooperation and to make easier the exchange of information and knowledge on autism.

www.worldautism.org

European Disability Forum (EDF)

Autism-Europe is a founding member and currently holds the Vice-Presidency of the European Disability Forum, a preferred partner in dialogue with the European Union which groups together more than 90 European NGOs of people with disabilities.

Autism-Europe actively participates in the working committees: “Human Rights” and “Disabled People with Complex Dependency Needs” and participates in preparation of European Days of Disabled People.

www.edf-feph.org

Platform of European Social NGO's

Autism-Europe is a founding member and member of the Management Committee of the Platform of European NGO’s in the social field, which is active in the promotion of a social Europe based on fundamental rights, inclusion and non-discrimination.

Autism-Europe actively participates in the working groups “Fundamental Rights”, “Enlargement” and “Social Policy” and contributes to the campaigns launched by the Platform.