Aug 6, 2023, Killarney Today: ‘We can be an example to other towns and villages’ https://www.killarneytoday.com/we-can-be-an-example-to-other-towns-and-villages/
There has been a call for a united approach by businesses and statutory agencies to make Killarney an autism friendly town.
The proposal was put forward by Cllr Marie Moloney who asked officials of Killarney Municipal District Council to engage with business owners and the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce on the issue….
Cllr Moloney said there is a need to create a greater awareness of the condition and to remove the stigma and Killarney can make it easier for people with autism to live and work in the town as well as visit the area.
“We can be an example to other towns and villages,” she added.
A total of 11 towns across the country are on the way to being designated autism-friendly after the success of a pilot scheme in Clonakilty, Co Cork.
The initiative is spearheaded by Adam Harris – a brother of Higher Education Minister Simon Harris – who is the founder and chief executive of national autism charity AsIAm.
To gain autism-friendly town status, businesses and other bodies take measures to reduce sensory stimulation that could cause distress and difficulties and undertake staff training to improve understanding of the condition and how to communicate better with those with autism.
Measures being taken in other areas include the development of sensory gardens, autism-friendly festivals and specific training schedules.
Listowel is one of the towns in line for autism-friendly designation and a local committee has been established to steer the initiative.
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