DH launches autism strategy

5th March 2010

The Department of Health is launching a new strategy to help improve public services for autism that will include employment support.

The organisation noted that there are some 400,000 individuals with the condition in England, with 50 per cent of these also having a learning disability.

Entitled Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, the initiative is to incorporate autism awareness training for all Jobcentre disabled employee advisers as part of a National Autism Programme Board.

Published on Wednesday (March 3rd), the scheme will target frontline public sector improvements and outline training and development for governmental organisations.

It will also aim to introduce reasonable adjustments to buildings and public transport, all of which could aid disabled employees secure and retain work.

Last year, national coordinator for the National Autistic Society Cymru Shirley Parsley told the BBC that employment and benefits advice for those with the condition were not widely available.