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Description
In Poland there is a huge need for the community representing the entire autism spectrum to work continually with public authorities at various levels to ensure equal access to services, and reduce discrimination and exclusion. The number of rulings certifying autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing in Poland each year (7617 in 2012 to 19 859 in 2019 - Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy statistics). The issue addressed by the project is that the particular needs of people who have ASD are not accounted for in legislative acts and measures based on legislative acts. Due to people with ASD and their parents, self-advocates not being directly involved in social discourse, there is an increase in harmful stereotypes and lack of opportunities to reach the general public and policy-makers. The project aims to empower adults with ASD and their families. We will work to develop self-advocacy skills of people with ASD (work divided between two groups, tailored to the capabilities of the participants). We will conduct advocacy measures in the community to defend the rights and interests of people with ASD: a role in consultations on legislative acts and participation in parliament and senate committee and subcommittee meetings, and proposals for legislative changes. At the same time, we will provide legal advice for people with ASD and their families, and personnel in various public agencies throughout Poland. The self-advocacy training will be given to ten people, of whom three or four will become self-advocates in practice. Support under the project will be given to 170 people (legal aid, awareness-raising measures, improvement of soft skills). We will consult the community and people with autism on approximately 24 documents/programs/legislative acts and ten community projects affecting people with ASD. We will also draw up twelve joint standpoints on ASD with respect to public authorities.
Summary of project results
The project addresses the problem of the exclusion of people on the autism spectrum from social and professional life in Poland. The number of disability certificates issued to persons on the autism spectrum is increasing by several thousand per year - in 2012 there were 7617 and in 2019. - 19 859 (MRPiPS). Increasingly, adults are being diagnosed. At the same time, people on the autism spectrum experience difficulties in accessing basic social services, health care or the labour market. Their needs are often not taken into account in legal acts and the resulting offer of support. At the same time, there are still a lot of stereotypes around the autism spectrum. Unfortunately, there is still a lack of tools that would allow people on the spectrum to represent their own interests.
The project involved advocacy and consultation on legislation affecting people on the autism spectrum. Among the topics addressed were the creation of a new model of assisted housing for dependent persons on the spectrum, the availability of publicly funded health services, the availability of social rehabilitation in Community Self-Help Centres, amendments to the Act on Ensuring Accessibility for Persons with Special Needs, and supported employment. Thanks to the cooperation efforts of the community of persons on the autism spectrum and organisations working for the benefit of persons with disabilities, an opinion group was established, consisting of persons on the autism spectrum, their parents, specialists, representatives of non-governmental organisations. An important element of the project was the self-advocacy component. People on the autism spectrum - both high-functioning and severely disadvantaged - were prepared to advocate for their cause by taking part in a workshop on ''How to be a self-advocate in practice''. This resulted in more than a dozen self-advocacy speeches. Individuals on the spectrum and their parents also benefited from counselling, primarily on legal and social issues.
The project has influenced the effectiveness of our advocacy work (including the creation of supported housing for people on the autism spectrum). By equipping 12 people on the spectrum - including those experiencing severe difficulties in their daily functioning - with self-advocacy competencies and giving them a voice, their perspective emerged more strongly in the social debate. Those taking part in the workshop improved their social skills and self-confidence.