AM shows support to autism charity Campaign
Plaid Assembly Member Dr. Dai Lloyd is supporting National Autistic Society Cymru’s Don’t write me off campaign, and has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to work to improve employment opportunities for adults with the condition.
Don’t write me off addresses the difficulties faced by adults with autism in trying to access the appropriate benefits to support their needs, as well as support to get a job.
Dr. Lloyd said:
“People with autism have a great deal to offer and we know that many want to work but are unable to get the help and support they need to fulfil their potential. It is crucial that people with serious, lifelong and disabling conditions such as autism get the help they need when seeking employment and are supported financially when they cannot work.”
The Don’t write me off report reveals that the majority of the over 300,000 working age adults with autism in the UK (approximately 18,000 in Wales) want to work but are being held back by a woeful lack of understanding of autism amongst employment and benefits advisors at Jobcentre Plus and a dearth of specialist employment services. Only 15% are in fulltime paid employment, which could mean as little as 2,700 in Wales.
The charity is also campaigning for a number of measures to make the employment and benefits system fair for people with autism including scrapping the need for a sick note and a better understanding of autism across all Jobcentre Plus staff, who determine eligibility for benefits or provide employment support. This should include the introduction of Autism Co-ordinators to work with frontline staff, local employers and employment support services.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Research for the Don’t write me off report found:
·Almost 80% of people with autism on Incapacity Benefit want to work.
·Over a third said their Disability Employment Advisor’s knowledge of autism was “very bad” or “bad”.
·Half of people with autism have spent time with neither a job nor benefits with over three quarters of those forced to rely on family and friends as a result.
·Over 82% needed some kind of help to apply for benefits, but few were made aware of their right to an advocate. In the worst cases parents were actively blocked from helping.
