July 4, 2023, Connaught Telegraph: Working to make Castlebar official autism-friendly town https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2023/07/04/working-to-make-castlebar-official-autism-friendly-town/
CASTLEBAR is bidding to become the first official autism-friendly town in the northwest region.
The designation will be a boost for families and also the local economy and a whole of the community drive is underway to achieve it….
Sports and community clubs, education and healthcare settings are other areas where inclusivity is key and there are already leaders in the locality, such as Manulla Football Club.
The Castlebar Autism-Friendly Town group have plans to develop a sensory garden, and next Christmas children will enjoy visiting a sensory Santa. They want to see people with autism getting jobs and are working with some organisations on work experience.
The group have already shown they are leaders, staging the country's first ever autism-friendly St. Patrick's Day parade this year….
Mr. Page said they were trying to make life a bit easier for the 2,000 people with an autism diagnosis in Mayo. And there are many more who remain undiagnosed.
Their aim is to raise awareness and understanding among the community, organisations and facilities. Training is available online through the national autism body AsIAm. …
Castlebar, he added, is the only town in the northwest actively pursuing the accreditation. Elected members gave a commitment to support their work in any way they can….
The initiative was described as 'a brilliant idea' by Councillor Blackie Gavin. Castlebar has the facilities; they needed a plan.
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