NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: October 22nd 2009
Landmark autism law passed today
The Autism Bill passed its final stage in the House of Lords today to become England’s first ever disability-specific law. The National Autistic Society (NAS) heralded the new law as “groundbreaking” and said health and social care services could now face legal action if they failed to provide support for people with the condition, which affects over half a million people in the UK.
The Autism Bill started out as a Private Members’ Bill drafted by the NAS on behalf of a coalition of autism charities and was championed through Parliament by Conservative MP Cheryl Gillan. It has had support from all parties.
Mark Lever, chief executive of the NAS, said; “Thousands of adults with autism told us they were experiencing serious mental health difficulties due to a lack of support. After a year of lobbying, this is the watershed moment they have been waiting for – this law could literally transform lives. It will add serious weight to the forthcoming adult autism strategy so now we’ll be keeping the pressure up on Government to make sure they get it right and deliver lasting change for people with this serious, lifelong and disabling condition.”
Once it receives Royal Assent the Bill will officially become the Autism Act. Under the new law the Government’s forthcoming adult autism strategy will be legally enforceable and must be published within the next six months. New responsibilities the NHS and local authorities will be expected to fulfil will include providing diagnostic services for adults with autism and better training for health and social care staff.
The NAS is also calling for the strategy to tackle the woeful number of people with autism in employment. New research for the charity’s Don’t write me off campaign, launched last week, found that a third of people with autism – that’s over 100,000 - currently live without a job and worryingly without benefits.
Cheryl Gillan MP said; “I’d like to thank everyone for their support. It is extremely rare that a Private Members’ Bill goes on to become law, so this is a triumph for people with autism and their families. It’s a real testament to the overwhelming level of parliamentary support for this chronically excluded group. I hope it will make the crucial difference in their lives that people with autism need and deserve.”
Mark Lever added; “We’d like to thank Cheryl Gillan MP and the thousands of autism campaigners, MPs and peers for their support – together we have made legal history.”
For more information on the Autism Act visit www.autism.org.uk/autismact2009.
ENDS
For more information, interviews or images please call the NAS press office on 020 7903 3593 or email: press@nas.org.uk
Notes to editors:
The adult autism strategy must be published by April 2010.
The Autism Act was backed by The National Autistic Society, Wirral Autistic Society, Autism Research Centre, TreeHouse, Hampshire Autistic Society, Staffordshire Adults Autistic Society, Research Autism, Autism Anglia, The Wessex Autistic Society, Autism Education Trust, Autism Speaks, Autism West Midlands, Autism in Mind, Autism Initiatives, Sussex Autistic Community Trust and Tyne and Wear Autistic Society.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.
The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families. Founded in 1962, it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for all people with autism. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible.
The NAS relies on the support of its members and donors to continue its vital work for people with autism. To become a member, make a donation or to find out more about the work of the NAS, visit the NAS website www.autism.org.uk .
For more information about autism and for help in your area, call the NAS Autism Helpline on: 0845 070 4004 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, (local rates apply).
The NAS Autism Services Directory is the UK’s most comprehensive directory of services and events for people with autism. Visit www.autism.org.uk/autismdirectory to find autism services and support networks in your area.
