Organisations from across the North-West were presented with their Autism Charter certificate this week, after working with Autism Together to become Autism Champions.
The charter, written by people on the autism spectrum, asks organisations to train their staff in autism awareness and make their venues more autism friendly by making small changes, such as introducing clearer signage. Once the charter is signed, they become official members of the Autism Champions scheme.
More than 40 organisations across the region have now signed the charter and joined the scheme, with more than 1700 employees having autism awareness training.
New scheme members include the Merseyside Police Community Engagement team, the Hive Youth Zone, Fiveways Barbers and Home Office Liverpool.
Yvonne Crowhurst, head of Autism Together’s Autism Training and Advisory Service, who heads up the Champions scheme said:
“Presenting our new Champions their certificates was a great moment after months of hard work from all involved. The response to Autism Together’s request for greater accessibility and acceptability increases for those on the autistic spectrum has been overwhelming. Organisations large and small have signed up to this significant and effective venture.
“To say thank you seems inadequate but the knowledge that they have the capability of changing the lives of those on the autistic spectrum will, hopefully, be thanks enough as their efforts are appreciated by all those connected to autism.”
Sergeant Paul Meath, Community Policing Sergeant at Merseyside Police, said:
“We are very proud to have been made Autism Champions. Merseyside Police is determined to provide the best quality of service we can for people with autism and their families. This initiative will further help us protect vulnerable people within our communities and we are very grateful for the support of Autism Together who have helped us achieve this.”
