Autism mums outside Leinster
house Dublin, left to right Jennifer
Tosh and Claire Hughes Autism NI
Lisburn, Patricia Jordan South Down,
Cecilia O'Hagan Autism NIMid Ulster,
Carmel Fee Autism NI South Down.
LOCAL members of the Lisburn Branch of Autism
NI paid a visit to the Dail last week as they attended the
launch of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership which was formed
by the Autism societies of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and
the Republic of Ireland.
The event, which was described as a "historic
turning point", was chaired by Senator Ivor Callely and was
attended by members of each countries government as they
celebrated the Disability Movement which has united the nations
to share the best practice, research and information and to
lobby their respective governments for national strategic or
legislative change to establish access to services for
individuals with Autism.
Arlene Cassidy (Autism NI), speaking on
behalf of the Celtic Nations Autism Partnership, expressed the
encouragement to be taken from the presence of Jeff Sell from
the Autism Society of America which has recently formed an
Atlantic Autism Alliance with the Celtic Partnership. She
commented: "Today we have shown that differences can be set
aside when Human Rights are at risk especially when the
individuals at risk are our most vulnerable citizens." Lisburn
mum Claire Hughes, Chairperson of the Lisburn Branch of Autism
NI was present at the launch, she said, "I was particularly
interested to meet Jeff Sell from the Autism Society of America,
who just like me is a parent of two boys on the Autistic
spectrum. The establishment of the Atlantic Autism Alliance will
allow us to see the specific impact of the legislation for
Autism which was introduced in the USA last year."
Claire continued, "If legislation is in place
in America for Jeff Sell's sons why not for my sons in Northern
Ireland?"
Claire
Hughes (Chairperson of
Autism NI Lisburn
Branch). Jeff Sell
(Autism Society of
America), Jennifer Tosh
(Autism NI Lisburn
Branch).
stacey.heaney@jpress.co.uk
Ulster Star
/2008
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