Why go political?
Autism NI was a member of the Steering Group of the Northern Ireland Task Group. The resultant analysis of services for children and young people with Autism contained within the Task Group Report of 2002 was a catalogue of inadequate researching, knowledge and strategic direction for Autism which has formed the basis of planned action within the Education Sector in Northern Ireland over the intervening years.
For Autism NI it informed the dawning awareness that parent and professional empowerment was not enough to produce the provision of services required to meet the deepening need resulting from the accelerating demand on already stretched resources caused by the dramatic rise in prevalence of Autism.
In 2002, Autism NI initiated a political awareness and Lobby Campaign that resulted in the formation of a cross party group of MLA’s willing to take on the role of Autism Ambassadors within the Northern Ireland Assembly. Between 2002 and 2006, activity centred upon individual briefings on Autism to key MLA’s, presentations to the Health & Education Committees, regular e-mail briefing updates to the Assembly Autism Ambassadors, liaison regarding the two Assembly Debates on Autism and regional Lobby events within Parliament Buildings.
Activity accelerated in 2006 as the Northern Ireland Assembly resumed activity in the transition mode following a period of Direct Rule from Westminster (London). The return of the devolved structures and responsibilities unleashed a heightened level of activity by Autism NI in moving forward political action for Autism. 2006 also marked the start of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership committed to exchange of best practice and peer support for political lobbying.
2007 began “in style” with an Assembly Debate which gained unanimous cross party support for Legislation for Autism. Autism NI organised a Celtic Nations & Northern Ireland Assembly delegation to Washington later in the year and this led to the establishment of the Atlantic Autism Alliance and the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding on Autism between the US Congress & the Northern Ireland Assembly. Early in 2008, the All Party Assembly Group on Autism was founded and work began on the code for legislation for Autism in Northern Ireland. As events (2008/2009) in National Parliaments & Assemblies celebrated the formation of the Celtic Partnership, the Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee visited adult services provided by Autism individuals, Autism NI, Orchardville Society & NOW Project as well as the Welsh Assembly to learn more about the Welsh Assembly Government National Autism Strategy. These fact finding events provided the context for the Stand up for Autism Rally at Stormont in March 2009 and a Northern Ireland Debate on Autism which began the detailing of the content of planned legislation.
Legislation!! In our Time??The Story so far
 Autism NI Lisburn Branch Attended Event to Launch Campaign for The Northern Ireland Aisturm Act in Stormont |
In January 2006 the NI Transitional Assembly pledged to work for Autism and then in June MLAs signed up to a campaign for legislation. In March 2006 Autism NI and Autism Cymru form a historic partnership. |
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January 2007 |
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January 2007 |
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19th June 2007 The Northern Ireland Assembly Launch of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership. |
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September 2007 The Atlantic Autism Alliance representatives at the Launch in Washington DC in September 2007.
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Walk for Autism!
Walk for Legislation! On Saturday 13th October 2007, parents, professionals, members and supporters walked from the gates of Stormont to the steps of Parliament Buildings to present letters, petitions and notices to MLAs. |
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With a little
help from our friends? At the end of September 2007 a high profile delegation of politicians from the Northern Ireland Assembly led a fact-finding visit to Washington |
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September 2007 – June 2008 The Independent Review on Autism Services was set up by the Minister of Health to develop an Action Plan for Autism Services. Lord Magennis of Drumglass Chaired the Review. |
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November 2007 |
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 Arlene Cassidy Chief Executive Autism NI, Ken Maginnis Vice President of Autism NI, Eileen Bell Vice President of Autism NI along with others nations working together for Autism |
February 2008
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12th February 2009 |
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31st March 2009
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