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Autism-Europe

AE

Autism-Europe Autism-Europe is an international association whose objective is to advance the rights of people with autism and their families, to help them improve their quality of life. This is achieved through: - Representing people with autism before all European Union institutions; - Promoting awareness of appropriate care, education and well-being for people with autism; - Promoting the exchange of information, good practices and experience in the field of autism. Autism-Europe is the umbrella organisation for a network of around 90 associations of parents of people with autism across 30 European countries. Autism-Europe has established a structured dialogue with the institutions of the European Union and the World Health Organisation, to advocate for the rights of people with autism. To maximise its impact on European Union policies, Autism-Europe also works in strategic alliances with other relevant organisations, including WHO and the European Disability Forum.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Union of Equality: European Disability Rights Strategy

12 Nov 2020

Autism-Europe aisbl is an international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of autistic people and their families and to help them improve their quality of life. It ensures effective liaison among almost 90-member autism organisations from 40 European countries, including 26 Member States of the European Union, governments and European and international institutions. Autism is a lifelong disability, notably associated with difficulties in social communication and social interaction as well as sensory difficulties, such as increased or reduced sensitivity to light and sound. According to prevalence studies, it is estimated that at least 5 millions of people are on the autism spectrum in the European Union. Autism forms a 'spectrum', which means that each person will experience autism differently. There is not one size fits all solution to accommodate the needs of autistic people. Across Europe, the basic needs of many autistic people are still not being met. Available data show that autistic people face very high level of discrimination in all aspects of life, from lack of access to education to high level of unemployment and lack of access to healthcare. It has been evidenced that autistic people die on average 16 years younger than the general population. A holistic approach and some targeted actions are needed to tackle the many challenges they face in their everyday life and to allow them to fully exercise their rights as EU-citizens, such as intra-EU mobility. Enabling people on the autism spectrum to live long and fulfilling lives as autonomously and independently as possible, requires a change of mind-set in society to support their active participation and inclusion. It also entails to create and maintain the necessary community-based support services and to foster accessibility for autism across all sectors. Therefore, Autism-Europe calls for an ambitious EU disability strategy beyond 2020 that leaves no one behind and takes into account the diversity of disability, support and accessibility needs. The EU has a leading role to play to facilitate the implementation of the UNCRPD across all EU member states, and beyond. We welcome the fact that the future European disability strategy will aim at supporting the full implementation of the convention at the EU-level and in the member states. To this end, disability rights should be adequately mainstreamed in other key policy instruments, such as the European Pillar of Social rights or the Child guarantee, Gender Equality Strategy, the Youth Guarantee and all its funding schemes. The EU should also take concrete action for the adoption of a horizontal antidiscrimination directive protecting people with disabilities from discrimination in all areas of life. The strategy should have a well-resourced monitoring mechanism, with CPRD focal points in all EU institutions and agencies, and an efficient coordination mechanism within and between the institutions. In order to monitor progress clear benchmarks and indicators are necessary as well as adequate data collection, disaggregated by types of disabilities, gender and age. Persons with disabilities and their representative organisations should be supported to meaningfully participate in the implementation up to the evaluation of the strategy. Please see the attached document for more specific recommendations.
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