Autistic residents working to make Hackney ‘autism friendly’
A group of autistic residents and carers are working with Hackney Council and local health services to make the borough more autism friendly.
As World Autism Acceptance day approaches on 2 April, the group is urging more autistic Hackney residents to get involved.
Being autistic is a different way to be human. It is a lifelong atypical
way of experiencing and relating to the world.
It is a different way to think and process information. A borough more
accepting and supporting of its autistic residents would enable a better
well-being for autistic people.
Currently the group is working with the Hackney Autism Alliance board to draft the borough’s first ever autism strategy.
An autistic resident involved in the group said: ‘Autistic people face discrimination and bullying. Autism is not a mental illness but autistic people are at higher risk of mental ill health such as anxiety and depression often brought on from the frustration of not being accepted.’
Panda Mery, another autistic resident, said: ‘There are simple changes organisations and people can make to improve the lives of autistic people. Celebrating differences, designing new services with autistics, tackling bullying, offering mentoring, improving the environment and staff attitudes can all help.’
‘Although the strategy will be for residents in City and Hackney, an autism-friendly Hackney will also benefit people who work here and visitors,’ he added.
Richard, another group member, said ‘It’s good finding information about autism and the rights of autistic people.’
‘We have five great autistic representatives on the board who are already getting managers in Hackney to view autism differently,’ said Amanda Elliot, who works for Healthwatch Hackney and is parent of an autistic young man.
The Director of Adult Services Simon Galczynski who co-chairs the Autism alliance board with an autistic resident said:
‘Listening to people’s lived experience first-hand brings a real understanding of what a difference an Autism friendly Hackney would have on the lives of autistic residents and carers. Working together will help us to develop a strategy and action plan that reflects the needs of the people it is for.’
To find out more email info@autistichackney.org or visit www.autistichackney.org
END
Picture 1: Autism Card (photo by Gokhan Bozkurt)
The group is helping to develop a voluntary Hackney Autism Card which autistic resident can use to help communicate their needs in different situations.
Click the image for full resolution.
Picture 2: David ‘Panda’ Mery (photo by Gokhan Bozkurt)
David ‘Panda’ Mery is an autistic resident on the Hackney Autism Alliance Board: ‘There are simple changes organisations and people can make to improve the lives of autistic people.’
Click the image for full resolution.
Picture 3: Richard (photo by Gokhan Bozkurt)
Autistic resident and Hackney Autism Alliance Board member said: It’s good finding information about autism and the rights of autistic people.’
Click the image for full resolution.
Picture 4: A few members of the Autism Alliance user and carer engagement consultation group; there are more than 20 members who contribute to the group (photo by Gokhan Bozkurt)
(from l-r) Joanne Blackwood, Improvement and Innovation Officer for London Borough of Hackney, autistic resident David ‘Panda’ Mery, Parent-carer Amanda Elliot of Healthwatch Hackney and autistic resident Richard.
Click the image for full resolution.
Picture 5: David ‘Panda’ Mery wearing ear defenders (photo by Gokhan Bozkurt)
Explaining why he uses ear defenders, Panda said: ‘Hackney can be very noisy at times. As I’m hypersensitive to noise I always carry ear defenders and often wear them.’
Click the image for full resolution.
