BRUSSELS, 01/04/2025 – Tomorrow is World Autism Awareness Day, a day to remember that the roughly 7 million autistic people in Europe often feel unseen, both in their daily lives and in the political sphere. We at Autism-Europe hope to help bridge the gap with this new online platform, where autistic people and their families can publish their stories. We hope this will educate the public and inform autism policy in the works at the European Commission. The ‘Not invisible’ website is publishing videos, texts, audio clips and other artwork in which the autism community shares its diverse successes, challenges, and hopes.
Why is this website needed?
Widespread misconceptions about autism persist and create barriers to true understanding and inclusion. As a result, the daily experiences of the autism community are often minimised, ignored, or misunderstood. This can leave autistic people and their families feeling isolated and invalidated, and facing additional obstacles in accessing necessary support and services. It also makes it much harder for them to find a job: studies show that 75-90 percent of autistic adults in Europe are unemployed. This not only robs them of income and inclusion but blocks a capable demographic from contributing to the labour force and the economy.
Nothing about us without us
At the heart of the ‘Not invisible’ campaign is the demand that autistic people and the organizations representing their interests must take part when decisions are made about their lives. Autistic people and their families have not always been meaningfully included in discussions surrounding autism-related policies, support structures, and campaigns. ‘Not invisible’ seeks to change this by ensuring that the voices of autistic people are central to shaping a more inclusive and understanding society.
Impacting the discussions in Brussels
It is particularly timely to listen to the autism community, since in September 2024 the President of the European Commission announced a commitment to work towards a “common approach” to autism at European Union level. This is what defenders of autistic people’s rights want, too: Autism-Europe has long called for a coordinated and strategic response to address the needs of autistic people at EU, national, and regional levels. The European Parliament has also expressed support, with the adoption in October 2023 of a resolution to harmonise the rights of autistic people across the EU. The new platform can help, since meeting the needs of autistic people requires understanding their lived experience.
The platform also attempts to reach EU decision-makers directly: the ‘Not invisible’ campaign has received support from candidates and newly elected members of the European Parliament. This year, Autism-Europe and its members are calling on decision-makers to turn this commitment into action by, among other steps, supporting the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in line with the recommendations of the CRPD released recently. The new platform includes a link via which policymakers can pledge to support goals such as building on the resolution from 2023, making life more accessible for autistic people, and supporting antidiscrimination policies and inclusion across the European Union.
How to support the “Not invisible” campaign?
World Autism Awareness Day is a global opportunity for autistic people, their families, advocates, policymakers and the general public to unite to raise awareness and take action on autism.
This WAAD and throughout April, get involved and support our call for acceptance of autism and equal participation for autistic people.
Spread the word about autism in April
AE invites everyone: its members, the autism community and its allies, EU policy makers, as well as the wider public to help raise awareness and reclaim the narratives around autism.
To participate, please use the hashtags #AutismDay2025 and #AutismNotInvisible and tag us in any campaign related posts you’ll create. If you don’t have the time or resources to create your own social media posts, we strongly encourage you to like, comment and repost AE’s content on their social media channels – it really helps spread the word.
Please find more information on AE’s website.
Here’s the list of our social media handles:
Facebook – @autismeurope.AE
Instagram – @autismeurope
LinkedIn – @Autism-Europe aisbl
Bluesky – @autismeurope.bsky.social
Share your story with us
We have built the website around video content, but we welcome all forms of expression and storytelling. Whether it’s video, essays, images, or audio, we will share every submission on our website to help foster a deeper understanding of autism.
You can find out how to send us your story by clicking here. We welcome stories on a rolling basis, all year long!
Support our call to action to policymakers
We encourage you to reach out to your policymakers at the European, national, regional and local level to pledge support, and support the campaign by sharing the stories.
Check the list of the signatories to the pledge
For more information and interviews, please do not hesitate to contact: Aurélie Baranger, AE Director, at aurelie.baranger@autismeurope.org
Notes:
World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 as an annual day to draw attention to the urgent needs of autistic people around the world.
Autism-Europe is an international organisation based in Brussels focused on advancing the rights of autistic people and their families as well as helping them improve their quality of life. It ensures effective cooperation among more than 90-member autism organisations in 40 European countries, including 26 Member States of the European Union.
Acceptable language. Autism-Europe operates on the principle of respect for diversity. It is important to use language that people are comfortable with: there are some terms that are likely to cause offense and that are advisable to avoid using – check them here.