As a result of the Autism Act, the first Adult Autism Strategy (Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives) was published in 2010. This was followed by a new and updated strategy – Think Autism in 2014. The purpose of the self-assessment was to enable local strategy groups to review their progress and support future planning with partners including people with autism and their families.

This was the fourth autism self-assessment framework. The baseline self-assessment was carried out in 2011, followed by updates in 2013 and 2014. These exercises allow local authorities and their partners to monitor their progress in implementing the Autism Strategy. Through greater transparency they also enable adults with autism, their families and carers, and autism representative groups to see what progress is being made. The self-assessment data offers an opportunity to compare local authority areas and develop benchmarks. It can assist in identifying areas where further action is needed and in planning improvements.

More information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/autism-self-assessment-framework-exercise

The Office for Disability Issues has released a policy paper: Disabled people’s rights: information for the UK’s first periodic review.

The review reports on information provided to the United Nations (UN) in connection with its first periodic review of disabled people’s rights.

The government published its initial report on the rights of disabled people in November 2011, as required by the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

As part of its first periodic review of how the United Kingdom (UK) is implementing the convention, the UN asked for more information in April 2017. They did so by publishing a ‘List of issues’.

This response provides the information the UN asked for. The Office for Disability Issues coordinates the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the UK.

Access the report here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disabled-peoples-rights-information-for-the-uks-first-periodic-review

A number of guides from Public Health England for making reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities (including easy read)……

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reasonable-adjustments-for-people-with-learning-disabilities

An ongoing fight to raise awareness of over-medication of people with learning disabilities has been welcomed by the country’s top nurse.

As it reached its first anniversary today Professor Jane Cummings spoke out in support of stop the over-medication of people with a learning disability or autism (STOMP) – a major initiative aimed at curbing the amount of powerful drugs being prescribed.

It’s estimated that every day up to 35,000 with a learning disability take a prescribed psychotropic, but don’t have a diagnosed mental health condition. This can lead to significant side-effects impacting on the quality of life.

More information here:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2017/07/chief-nurse-backs-stomp-it-out-drugs-campaign/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NHSCBoard+%28NHS+England%29

The Tizard Centre will be holding a forum looking at innovative models and practice in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities on the 2nd September. Parallel sessions now announced.

The conference will include a range of talks and sessions for delegates to participate in, a short film “This is Me” from Square Pegs drama group, networking with like-minded people and professorials inaugural talks by Prof Rachel Forrester-Jones and Prof Julie Beadle-Brown.