Legislation!! In our Time??
With a little help from our friends?
At the end of September, a high profile delegation of politicians from
the Northern Ireland Assembly led a fact-finding visit to Washington organised
under the auspices of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership and in partnership
with the Autism Society of America and the Autism Caucus at Capitol Hill.
The Northern Ireland Assembly Autism Caucus meets in formal Session in January 2008 to discuss priorities for the incoming year Including developing its links with the US Congress Autism Caucus.
Outcomes of the visit were:-
- Launch of the Atlantic Autism Alliance with the joining of the American Society for Autism and the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership. (Home & Away Edition Newsletter)
- Historic signed of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Autism Caucus at Capitol Hill & the Northern Ireland Assembly.
- Statement of Support from Senator Hilary Clinton and MOU's Sign
Next steps for the Autism Caucus at the Northern Ireland Assembly must include the strengthening of this with the US Congress as well as the monitoring of the progress of the Ministerial Review on Autism announced in September and due to report early in 2008.
Next steps for the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership following the completion of the National Launches in Scotland and Republic of Ireland in 2008 will be the contribution of mutual support, political support and the roll out of exchange of expertise and models of best practice such as early intervention, research, training and services.
Next steps for Autism NI must include the effective presentation of the case for positive social change and rights based Legislation. To support this and to prevent unnecessary duplication and delay Autism NI have made available 2 important discussion documents:
- A Review of ASD Strategies & Practice in Northern Ireland
- Autism: The Costs
