Helpline 0131 669 1600
The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS Scotland) was delighted that The Autism Act 2009 – the first ever disability-specific law in England - was passed in the House of Lords yesterday.
The Autism Act 2009 now creates a fantastic opportunity to press for improved services and support for the thousands of people with autism across Scotland. There are 50,000 people in Scotland with autism – that is 1 in 100. If you include their families, autism touches the lives of over 200,000 people in Scotland every day. When it comes to services that would help people with autism live full and productive lives the Scottish Government is lagging behind. NAS Scotland wants to see a Scottish strategy that addresses the needs of adults and children living with autism in Scotland.
However, the Autism Act 2009 only applies to those people with autism living in England. Therefore NAS Scotland is working along with a coalition of partners who are supporting people with autism across the whole of Scotland, to campaign that the Scottish Government look at the possibility of a Scottish autism strategy or legislation parallel to that of the Autism Act 2009.
NAS Scotland wants to find out more about the experiences of people with autism who are trying to get services, or are already using them.
This is so that we can approach the Scottish Parliament about creating the equivalent of the Autism Bill in Scotland. The Autism Bill could be the first-ever piece of autism-specific legislation in England and Wales, placing a duty on Government and local agencies to improve services for people with autism.
Complete our online questionnaire to tell us about your experiences. The survey runs until 4 November 2009.
Thank you for taking the time to tell us what you think.
The National Autistic Society Scotland
1st Floor, Central Chambers
109 Hope Street
Glasgow G2 6LL
Tel: 0141 221 8090