Neurodiversity Ireland Ringsend and Pearse Street (NIRP) took home the Community Education Award and Inclusive Clubs Award at the Autism Friendly Town Awards 2024. Held by AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, the award ceremony took place at the Aisling Hotel in Dublin, where Maynooth received the AsIAm Autism Friendly Town Award 2024 and five other communities, including NIRP, were acknowledged with Special Recognition Awards.
The AsIAm Autism Friendly Town Awards is an annual event in which communities across Ireland are awarded for following a series of principles aimed at fostering Autism inclusion and empowerment in local communities.
NIRP achieved several targets set by AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns, including the creation of a guide that helps parents organise a neurodivergent support group in their area. The committee also ran several clubs for Autistic teens and children in areas such as music, swimming, football and equine therapy. Most notably, the community’s entire Autism Friendly Town Committee took part in a pilot scheme in which they all went back to college to train as SNAs, all receiving distinctions in their studies.
Speaking about the town’s win, Louise Weafer, Chairperson of the NIRP Autism Friendly Town Committee said: “NIRP are thrilled to have received this honour from AsIAm and we are committed to continue supporting our neurodiverse community, by work towards actioning all the goals we’ve set out in our three-year plan.”
Adam Harris, CEO AsIAm, added: “It’s great to see another town take such massive strides towards becoming a more inclusive and empowering community. The new principles adopted by each town will improve access for Autistic people in day-to-day life, create supporting and accepting environments within the community and promote local business and tourism.”
All towns awarded this week achieved several key targets set out by AsIAm, including embarking on a three-year charter inclusion plan, staff training and organising Autism friendly events, among other principles that support acceptance and participation of Autistic people in their towns.
About AsIAm
AsIAm is Ireland’s Autism Charity, dedicated to transforming society while working on behalf of Autistic people and families. AsIAm provides Child & Family Support Programmes, Adult Support & Wellbeing programmes, Autism ID Cards, Training & Accreditation for employers, schools, HEIs and organisations, Policy & Advocacy and Fundraising. Contact AsIAm’s Autism Information line on 0818 234 234 or email support@AsIAm.ie
