Since signing our petition to end the wait for support in your area, we have contacted your local MP to tell them about the numbers of their constituents calling for action. We also wanted them to see what the council and NHS have done so far as a result of the Autism Act.
Each MP has been sent a personal letter and information pack, which also includes comments made by their constituents. See an example of this letter.
If you've got any questions about what was sent specifically to your MP, then please contact campaign@nas.org.uk
Friday 26 July 2013
Friday 19 July 2013
Care Minister issues statement on the Government's review of the Adult Autism Strategy
The Care Minister Norman Lamb MP has issued a statement about
the Government's review of the Adult Autism Strategy and the central
role of the NAS' Push for Action campaign.
The Minister described the strategy as "an essential step towards realising the Government's long term vision for transforming the lives of and outcomes for adults with autism".
It is focused on five key areas:
The Minister added:
He emphasised that the review is an opportunity for the Government "to assess whether the objectives of the strategy remain fundamentally the right ones, to take an honest look at what progress is being achieved by local authorities and the NHS, and consider what should happen to continue to make progress".
Finally, he urged fellow MPs as well as people affected by autism to make their views heard as part of the review process.
There is a unique opportunity between now and the end of October 2013, when the investigative stage of the review will conclude. Adults with autism, families, professionals and MPs can start by visiting the NAS' Push for Action website to see what steps their local council says it has taken and what you can do to get involved.
The Minister described the strategy as "an essential step towards realising the Government's long term vision for transforming the lives of and outcomes for adults with autism".
It is focused on five key areas:
- increasing awareness and understanding of autism
- developing clear, consistent pathways for the diagnosis of autism
- improving access for adults with autism to services and support
- helping adults with autism into work
- enabling local partners to develop relevant services.
The Minister added:
"The strategy is not just about putting in place statutory autism services but about enabling equal access for people with autism to support and opportunities through reasonable adjustments to everyday services, training and awareness raising."
He emphasised that the review is an opportunity for the Government "to assess whether the objectives of the strategy remain fundamentally the right ones, to take an honest look at what progress is being achieved by local authorities and the NHS, and consider what should happen to continue to make progress".
Finally, he urged fellow MPs as well as people affected by autism to make their views heard as part of the review process.
There is a unique opportunity between now and the end of October 2013, when the investigative stage of the review will conclude. Adults with autism, families, professionals and MPs can start by visiting the NAS' Push for Action website to see what steps their local council says it has taken and what you can do to get involved.
Monday 15 July 2013
Why campaign? Esther from our Cheshire West and Chester Branch explains...
As a branch, we have always believed that we needed to change the culture of what was happening in our authority in terms of education, health, social care etc for families caring for someone with autism. This would mean that families wouldn’t have to keep fighting the same battles over and over again. By working with the local authority we had achieved a lot of change but then along came Local Government re-organisation, cuts to budgets etc.
All of a sudden, there were new faces. In fact, lots of
changing faces. Somehow we had to build these relations again and again.
The Autism strategy gave us the building blocks that we could
use to challenge practice and ask for services to be improved. As a branch,
together with The NAS we were offering to be part of what needed to happen.
We have sat in lots of meetings, talked to lot of
individuals and encouraged our members to sign up to The NAS' Push for action
campaign. This enabled individuals to talk about what was important to them,
what part of the strategy would make
their lives better if it was implemented.
We have sent out a survey, with the support of the local
authority and PCT and Eleanor from NAS have written up the results. This has
shown us that there is away to go in terms of what is needed for adults with
autism in Cheshire West and Chester
if they are to lead happy, useful and busy lives. We then met with Officers from CWaC so that
parents could talk directly to the people who are responsible for commissioning
the services.
In the past it has been difficult to get a meeting with Chester MP, Stephen Mosley, but with all
the publicity both nationally and locally about the Adult campaign, we now have
a chance to meet with him. He has signed up to the Push for Action campaign and
this has been reported in a number of local newspapers. We hope that he will be
able to take back to Parliament the very specific issues that families in his
constituency would like to see addressed as well as sharing our concerns with
local councillors and officers. The support of MPs is crucial to driving the
local development of services.
We are looking forward to seeing better services in Cheshire West and Chester for all families
and hope that this campaign will enable this to happen.
Esther Fletcher
NAS Cheshire West and Chester Branch
Thursday 11 July 2013
Introducing... our Push for Action widget!
We have three exciting web updates to announce...
The first is that the website is now able to list local charities who are partners in Push for Action in their relevant local authority areas. It's great to be able to properly advertise those partnerships and direct people towards the fantastic local and regional charities who are getting behind this campaign. Look out for partners being listed on our website imminently.
The second is that we can also list local news and comments. So if something exciting happens where you live, you can let us know and we can run a story about it on your local authority page. Or if you'd like to write a comment piece about what your local authority is doing we'd love to hear from you.
Last, but not least, we're now offering a Push for Action 'widget' to anyone who wants it. This means you can put the Push for Action button on your website or blog to allow people to sign up to support the campaign directly from your site, rather than having to go to ours.
Use
this widget to enable your supporters to sign up for the campaign
without leaving your website. Simply "copy" the embed code below and
"paste" in your website or blog. You can adjust the widget dimensions so
that it fits where you want it to go on your page.
If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries. - See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
Simply copy the embed code below and paste it into your site. You can adjust the widget dimensions so
that it fits where you want it to go on your page. Get in touch with us at campaign@nas.org.uk if you'd like some help.If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries. - See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries.
- See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
Use
this widget to enable your supporters to sign up for the campaign
without leaving your website. Simply "copy" the embed code below and
"paste" in your website or blog. You can adjust the widget dimensions so
that it fits where you want it to go on your page.
If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries. - See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries. - See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
Use
this widget to enable your supporters to sign up for the campaign
without leaving your website. Simply "copy" the embed code below and
"paste" in your website or blog. You can adjust the widget dimensions so
that it fits where you want it to go on your page.
If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries. - See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
<p><iframe type="text/html" width="234" height="336" scrolling="no" src="http://www.autism.org.uk/global/content/Campaign%20Image%20Widget" frameborder='0' border='0' style="border:0;" ></iframe></p>If you are having difficulties using the widget or have any queries relating to privacy please email campaign@nas.org.uk. Due to the vast number of different websites and blogs, we may not be able to answer all your technical queries. - See more at: http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/autism-strategy/Camden#sthash.XGKnXYEj.dpuf
Our new report pushes for better support for older people with autism
This week we launched our new report and campaign Getting on? Growing older with autism at a special reception in the House of Lords, hosted by Baroness Greengross OBE.
Getting on? sets out the challenges facing people with autism as they move into older age and makes recommendations on how government can help to meet those challenges.
The sixty guests at the reception included parliamentarians, researchers, representatives of older people charities and autism organisations, and our generous funders, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, as well as older people with autism and their families – some of whom met with their MPs at the reception to discuss the report and their own experiences.
Guests heard excellent speeches from Baroness Greengross, Carol Povey, Director of the NAS Centre for Autism, and Phil Staton – who is in his 60s and has Aspergers syndrome – all of whom really helped to raise awareness of this important issue.
The report highlights the distinct needs of older adults with autism and, in line with the Push for Action campaign, calls upon these needs to be addressed through this year's review of the adult autism strategy.
Visit www.autism.org.uk/gettingon to read our campaign report and find out how you can get involved.
Getting on? sets out the challenges facing people with autism as they move into older age and makes recommendations on how government can help to meet those challenges.
The sixty guests at the reception included parliamentarians, researchers, representatives of older people charities and autism organisations, and our generous funders, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, as well as older people with autism and their families – some of whom met with their MPs at the reception to discuss the report and their own experiences.
Guests heard excellent speeches from Baroness Greengross, Carol Povey, Director of the NAS Centre for Autism, and Phil Staton – who is in his 60s and has Aspergers syndrome – all of whom really helped to raise awareness of this important issue.
The report highlights the distinct needs of older adults with autism and, in line with the Push for Action campaign, calls upon these needs to be addressed through this year's review of the adult autism strategy.
Visit www.autism.org.uk/gettingon to read our campaign report and find out how you can get involved.
Friday 5 July 2013
Tom's campaign blog #3: Six reasons why the Autism Act is just like Andy Murray
Marvel as I attempt to link Push for Action to a popular current news story.
In the early days, Andy Murray was criticised for being too weak to compete with the big boys. But he beefed right up and started flexing his muscles to adoring fans. Then he started making an impact.
Murray often explains how the fans cheering him on give him an extra edge on court – how he wouldn’t keep reaching those semis and finals at Wimbledon without them behind him.
Murray
Murray still craves his crowning glory, the historic Wimbledon victory that would be his legacy. The Autism Act still craves its own ultimate goal – for all adults with autism to receive the support they need. (70% of adults with autism told us that they don’t.)
Bear with me. This could be painful.
1. Both started weak and got muscles
In the early days, Andy Murray was criticised for being too weak to compete with the big boys. But he beefed right up and started flexing his muscles to adoring fans. Then he started making an impact.
In the early drafts, the guidance that came out of the Autism Act was criticised (by us) for being too weak compete among other local priorities. But, with your help, we campaigned and got it beefed right up, to be published to an adoring public. Then it started making an impact.
2. Both need your support
Likewise, the Autism Act and its accompanying strategy will only ever achieve so much unless people get behind it, keep pushing it and championing it. It’s our autism campaigners that can give it its edge.
3. Neither are much to look at
4. Both haven't yet fulfilled their potential
5. Both have come a long, long way in the last 2-3 years
For a while, it looked like Murray
For a while, it looked like local authorities might never improve support for adults with autism. 2-3 years ago many didn’t even have a member of staff with responsibility for autism, let alone services and support for this group. But the Autism Act is changing that. Now almost all local areas have an appointed ‘autism lead’ and many are starting to put some excellent practice into place. They’ve come a long way, but there’s still an even longer way to go…
6. Both could become the greatest this year. Or not…
This weekend, Murray might finally win Wimbledon .
This year, the Autism Act might finally start transforming lives across the country.
But only if you Push for Action.
Tom Madders,
Head of Campaigns
Thursday 4 July 2013
Peers press Minister to ensure new legislation improves services for adults with autism
At yesterday’s debate on the new Care Bill, which is currently in Committee stage in the House of Lords, a number of Peers spoke about the importance of ensuring that the Bill improves services for adults with autism.
Lord Touhig said “social care must no longer be the service of last resort. Under the current system, too many people become eligible for support only when their needs become acute and they require intensive high-level care and crisis management.”
He added “Many adults with autism would benefit greatly from low-level services such as befriending or social skills training. These would help them to avoid isolation and allow them to participate fully in society. A lack of access to these services can have a devastating impact.”
Baroness Greengross spoke about the importance of recognising, preventing and reducing the needs of older people with autism. She said local areas should invest in services that have the potential to reduce needs over time and she asked the Minister to ensure that the Bill calls on local authorities to take note of “for example, the NICE guidelines on adults with autism (which) states that investing in employment support is cost effective.”
The next debate on the Care Bill will be in the House of Lords on the 9th July.
Lord Touhig said “social care must no longer be the service of last resort. Under the current system, too many people become eligible for support only when their needs become acute and they require intensive high-level care and crisis management.”
He added “Many adults with autism would benefit greatly from low-level services such as befriending or social skills training. These would help them to avoid isolation and allow them to participate fully in society. A lack of access to these services can have a devastating impact.”
Baroness Greengross spoke about the importance of recognising, preventing and reducing the needs of older people with autism. She said local areas should invest in services that have the potential to reduce needs over time and she asked the Minister to ensure that the Bill calls on local authorities to take note of “for example, the NICE guidelines on adults with autism (which) states that investing in employment support is cost effective.”
The next debate on the Care Bill will be in the House of Lords on the 9th July.
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