Joint Committee on Autism to resume discussions on Autism Policy with National Disability Authority and Autistic Doctors International

The meeting will hear from:

• Dr Rosalyn Tamming, Head of Policy, Research and Public Affairs, and Mr Dharragh Hunt, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advisor, National Disability Authority (NDA); and
• Dr Mary Doherty, MB BCh FCARCSI, Autistic Doctors International.

Committee Cathaoirleach Senator Micheál Carrigy said: “The Committee looks forward to meeting with representatives of the National Disability Authority and Autistic Doctors International. Members are interested in hearing their views on how we can make public services more accessible to autistic people and how we can encourage inclusivity in service-provision.

“At our roundtable discussion in the Seanad Chamber on 2 March, we heard directly from autistic self-advocates about the barriers that they have faced when trying to access services in areas such as health, education, employment and justice for autistic children and adults. We are hoping to hear from the NDA about how we can remove these barriers to access and ensure that autistic people can engage easily with the State and with services and reach their potential in our society.”

The Joint Committee on Autism has 12 Members, seven from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.