Calls for council to engage with organisation AsIAm regarding this Kildare town
Cathaoirleach of Celbridge Leixlip MD, Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB) called for engagement with AsIAm for Celbridge
A motion aimed at removing barriers in day-to-day life for autistic people in Kildare was raised at a recent meeting of Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District.
The motion, by Cathaoirleach, Cllr Rupert Heather (LAB) called on the council to engage with organisation AsIAm to adopt the Autism-Friendly Town framework for Celbridge.
Cllr Heather said that as someone with an autistic child, he was aware of the many issues facing autistic children and their parents.
He said he was pleased to see Kildare County Council has a number of initiatives which support people with autism, and he was aware AsIAm previously gave a presentation to the full council.
He said the council's response highlighted the initiatives in place but ultimately there was a need to liaise with County Kildare Access Network (CKAN), which he intended to do along with others.
Cllr Bernard Caldwell (FF), said he is a member of CKAN and the local Access Group, and while he was very familiar with children with autism, the problem was if one disability were focused on, “then we have to look at all other disabilities as well.”
This is where CKAN was important, he said, to keep all disabilities “under the one umbrella”, which he said was working out “quite well” in Kildare.
“If we start identifying all these different areas separately, then I think we've a problem”, he said.
Cllr Heather said that while he agreed that CKAN did excellent work, “every person with autism is essentially different.”
He said that bringing the issue “into focus” was a great thing for parents struggling with access to services, education, etc.
He understood, he added, that CKAN and Kildare County Council wanted to take an inclusive approach, but there were a lot of parents out there with autistic children who needed help and support.
If there was anything the council could do to assist with this, then it is something he would be in favour of, he said.
A report issued by the council noted that “from a local authority perspective”, the approach was to not focus solely “on any one specific disability sector.”
The council's aim, it continued was to make County Kildare “fully inclusive and accessible for all members of the community.”
This would ensure that no individual or group is left marginalised, the council stated.
The report continued: “While we take a broad and inclusive approach at county level, we recognise and support targeted initiatives where appropriate. In Celbridge, for example, a range of
initiatives have been undertaken to support the autism community.
“These include the Toys Technology and Training collection programme, specialised training for staff, the provision of sensory boxes, and the introduction of mobile Tovertafel unit. These
initiatives demonstrate our commitment to practical, meaningful supports within local
communities.”
“That said, the development of specific town-focused initiatives or programmes may be
more appropriately led by local town committees or community groups, who are well
placed to identify and respond to the particular needs of their area.”