[PRESS RELEASE]
On World Autism Awareness Day 2026, Autism‑Europe is once again drawing attention to the rights, experiences and voices of autistic people across Europe. This year, our message is clear: awareness must lead to concrete action.
One year on from the UN’s recommendations to the EU
In April 2025, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities published a set of recommendations urging the European Union to strengthen how it implements the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). These recommendations highlighted ongoing gaps in inclusion, accessibility and participation, and called on the EU to ensure that its laws, policies and funding genuinely uphold the rights of persons with disabilities — including autistic people.
One year later, these recommendations remain as relevant as ever. Despite important policy commitments at EU level, many autistic people across Europe continue to face barriers in accessing diagnosis, education, employment, healthcare, community‑based support and independent living. Too often, their needs and experiences are overlooked in decision‑making processes.
Feeding lived experience into EU policy discussions
Over the past year, Autism‑Europe and its member organisations have worked actively to ensure that autistic people’s voices are heard at EU level. Most recently, we contributed to the European Commission’s public consultation on the next phase of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030.
Through this consultation, our members shared concrete examples of the challenges autistic people face in their daily lives, as well as practical recommendations for improvement. This input reflects a strong consensus across our network: EU disability policy must move beyond general principles and deliver meaningful, measurable change on the ground.
What we are calling for
Building on the UN’s recommendations, the consultation results and our own campaign priorities, Autism‑Europe is calling on policymakers to take decisive action to:
- Strengthen inclusive education and access to employment
- Invest in community‑based support and independent living
- Improve accessibilit, including sensory, cognitive and communication accessibility
- Combat misinformation and discrimination
- Guarantee the meaningful participation of autistic people in policy‑making
While progress at EU level is essential, these commitments must also be translated into action at national and regional levels, where policies are implemented and services are delivered.
Looking ahead: the next phase of the EU Disability Strategy
Autism‑Europe now looks towards the European Commission’s upcoming communication on the next phase of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This will be a key moment to demonstrate that the EU is ready to respond to the UN’s recommendations and to the voices shared through the consultation process.
We will continue to engage closely with EU institutions to advocate for clear objectives, timelines and accountability mechanisms that ensure autistic people’s rights are fully respected.
The “Not invisible” campaign: making voices visible
These efforts are at the heart of Autism‑Europe’s “Not invisible” campaign. Launched ahead of the 2024 European elections, the campaign continues in 2026 with a strong focus on transforming political commitments into tangible outcomes for autistic people.
A core principle of the campaign is that lived experience must shape policy. That is why Autism‑Europe provides a platform for autistic people across Europe to tell their own stories — through videos, written testimonies, audio recordings and creative formats. These contributions challenge stereotypes, combat misinformation and remind decision‑makers that autism policies must be grounded in real lives.
Get involved
World Autism Awareness Day is not just a symbolic moment — it is a call to action. We invite our members, partners and supporters to continue engaging with the campaign by sharing content, amplifying autistic voices, and advocating for change at all levels. Click here for more information.
Together, we can ensure that autistic people are no longer invisible — in policy, in practice, or in society.