autism europe Profile

WORKSTREAM ACTIVITY: Dissemination

Autism-Europe aisbl is a Brussels-based international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of persons with autism and their families and to help them improve their quality of life. Autism-Europe’s statutory mission is to improve the life of all persons with autism and their families in the European Union.

In 1999, Autism-Europe launched a survey among its members to identify and meet their priorities concerning the actions to be implemented in order to achieve our general goal. Autism-Europe’s members identified the following strategic objectives as their priorities:

  • Representing people towards all European Union’s institutions
  • Promoting the rights and dignity of people with autism
  • Promoting awareness on the appropriate care, education, and well-being of people with autism
  • Liaising with other non-governmental organisations sharing similar objectives
  • Promoting the exchange of information, good practices and experience

In order to implement these long-term objectives, Autism-Europe has built strategic alliances with its social partners in order to maximise its impact on European Union’s policies and to establish a structured dialogue with the European Institutions.

Autism-Europe has ensured effective liaison among more than 80 member associations of parents of persons with autism in more than 30 European countries, including more than 20 Member States of the European Union, governments and European and international institutions.

Autism-Europe plays a key role in raising public awareness, and in influencing the European decision-makers on all issues relating to the rights of people with autism and other disabilities involving complex dependency needs.

To maximise our impact on EU policies, Autism-Europe works in strategic coalitions with organisations that share the same concerns and goals. These include the European Disability Forum (EDF), the Platform of European Social NGOs and the European Coalition for Community Living (ECCL). Autism Europe is a founder member of these organisations and currently holds the vice presidency of EDF.

Autism-Europe has established a structured dialogue with the European Institutions and is also active towards the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Autism-Europe aisbl has considerable expertise in the field of autism, and in working with strategic partnerships and coalitions with a range of organisations. The organisation is skilled in the dissemination of information and research evidence through its website, its news and journal and its regular Autism-Europe International Congresses. Autism-Europe will be leading within this project with regard to dissemination.