AsIAm are delighted to announce that CCT Dublin, NCAD and Dundalk IT have all been recognised in the first stage of the Autism Friendly HEI Award and so have been granted the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge
All three HEIs have worked with AsIAm over the last two years to reach this milestone. With each HEI having submitted an application to the Autism Friendly Accreditation Panel, some of the work that has taken place to date includes implementing a steering committee within the HEI, engaging autistic students and staff, taking part in a sensory audit of the campus and being involved the Autism Friendly HEI Network.
CCT, NCAD and Dundalk IT are all committed to supporting autistic students so that everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential. A key aim of the Autism Friendly Award is to encourage HEIs to create a truly inclusive culture where the autistic community are accepted, understood and celebrated.
AsIAm are looking forward to working with all of the HEI’s over the next three years, where each HEI will submit and work towards their individual Action Plan and receive the ‘Autism Friendly Accredited HEI’ Award.
AsIAm CEO Adam Harris commented:
‘Ireland is now seeing a generation of autistic young people, who are attending mainstream school and have the expectation of having the opportunity to attend further education. It is vital that higher and further education become more accessible to – and inclusive of – the Autistic community. We are delighted to recognise CCT Dublin, NCAD and Dundalk IT as a recipient of the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge. This award recognises the commitment from all three further education institutes to date, and their ongoing work to gain the Autism Friendly HEI Award. Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) who gain the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge are stating that they know the importance of building an inclusive culture and are working on implementing a whole-campus approach to autism accessibility through our 9 Principle framework. Each HEI are now working on their 3-year plan to ensure that autistic students and staff all have the same chance; to attend further education, excel, access employment after their studies, and to be able to work in an inclusive environment.’
