UK MPs 'standing Up For Autism' On World Awareness Day

To mark UN World Autism Awareness Day, Cheryl Gillan MP has named the 16 MPs put forward to sit on the Autism Bill Standing Committee. The proposed committee could help to end the devastating postcode lottery of autism services for the half a million people with autism in the UK.


Drafted by The National Autistic Society (NAS), and backed by 15 other autism charities, the Autism Bill was championed in Parliament by Cheryl Gillan MP who drew the No.1 position in the Private Members Bill Ballot.


She said; "Autism is much more common than most people think, yet despite the scale of the need, the condition receives nowhere near the attention it deserves. This is why World Autism Awareness Day is so important and I'm delighted to be able to name the group of MPs who are all committed to helping people with autism access the help they so desperately need. Together, we have a very real opportunity to transform the lives of thousands of people who have been isolated and ignored for too long."


Organised by the UN and with the theme of 'Stand Up for Autism', World Autism Awareness Day brings together autism organisations all around the world and gives a voice to the millions of individuals who are undiagnosed, misunderstood and looking for help. All too often autism is not properly understood as a distinct condition and the needs of people affected by this complex disability are not recognised.


Care Services Minister Phil Hope MP and Cheryl Gillan MP, both of whom have been put forward to serve on the Autism Bill committee, have shown how they are 'standing up for autism' on YouTube's World Autism Awareness Day page (youtube/WorldAutismDay.)


Mark Lever, Chief Executive of the NAS said: "On World Autism Awareness Day I'd like to thank MPs, from across the political divide, who have championed autism in Parliament. There's still a long way to go, but we look forward to working with Government and MPs to secure a brighter future for people with autism."


The Autism Bill aims to place a duty on local authorities to recognise and fulfil their responsibilities towards people with autism. Measures proposed include: improving information on the number of children and adults with autism; ensuring an effective transition from child to adult services and tackling the chronic lack of support for adults with autism.


For more information about World Autism Awareness Day 2009, visit waad.uk or look out for activity on You Tube, Facebook and Twitter.

Source
The National Autistic Society