World Autism Acceptance Week
27 Mar 2024
Celebrating World Autism Acceptance Week (Tuesday, 2 April until Friday, 8 April)
World Autism Acceptance Week is the National Autistic Society’s biggest fundraising campaign and takes place this year on Tuesday, 2 April until Friday, 8 April.
Autistic people face discrimination and barriers within many areas of society which affect their quality of life. According to the National Autistic Society, only 26% of autistic pupils feel happy at school, only 29% of autistic people are in any kind of employment and 70% of autistic people experience mental health problems. There are also over 150,000 people on the waiting list for an autism assessment in the UK so diagnosis takes a long time and can take a huge toll on the person waiting. It's essential that autistic people and their families and carers can access vital information, guidance and support to combat the discrimination and barriers that they face as well as opportunities to build skills, fuel interests and cultivate friendships.
World Autism Acceptance Week aims to raise awareness of autism as well as to raise money to provide safe online spaces for autistic people, to fund future campaigns, to provide crucial advice and guidance for people waiting for a diagnosis as well as to help autistic people find meaningful work. You can find out more about the ways you can get involved on the National Autistic Society’s Fundraise Page.
Lived experience of Autism
In our EDI Blog this month, Matthew Harrison, Co-Chair of the Neurodiversity Network shares his lived experience of autism from diagnosis, the impact of autism in the workplace, burnout, and the importance of connection that he has found in the Neurodiversity Network.
Support at the University
If you are Neurodiverse (diagnosed or not), we have the Neurodiversity Network which is a network for Neurodiverse Staff to share upcoming events and talk about their experiences;
We also have the Disability Advisory and Support Service who can provide further information on support available at the University;
You can also contact the EDI Team with any queries: equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk.