RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has been granted an Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badges from AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity.

RCSI is committed to supporting autistic students so that everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential. The Autism Friendly initiative will support RCSI in creating a truly inclusive culture where the autistic community are accepted, understood and celebrated.

The RCSI application was led by the VisABILITY Forum, which supports the rights of disabled students and staff. This application involved input from colleagues across the University, as well as engagement with autistic students and staff. The application was submitted to the Autism Friendly HEI Accreditation Panel in June. AsIAm provided support to help us reach this milestone, and RCSI has joined the Autism Friendly HEI Network.

The next step will see RCSI submit and work towards an individual Action Plan and receive the Autism Friendly Accredited HEI Award.

Higher education institutions which receive the AsIAm Autism Friendly HEI award are understanding of the needs of autistic students, open to making adaptations to being more accessible, have a positive celebratory culture towards autism, and invite a whole campus approach to being autism friendly.

AsIAm CEO Adam Harris commented: “Ireland is now seeing a generation of autistic young people who are attending mainstream school and have the expectation of having the opportunity to attend further education. It is vital that higher and further education become more accessible to – and inclusive of – the Autistic community. We are delighted to recognise RCSI as a recipient of the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge. This award recognises the commitment from the university to date, and their ongoing work to gain the Autism Friendly HEI Award.

“Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) who gain the Autism Friendly HEI Candidate badge are stating that they know the importance of building an inclusive culture and are working on implementing a whole-campus approach to autism accessibility through our 9 Principle framework. RCSI is now working on their three-year plan to ensure that autistic students and staff all have the same chance; to attend further education, excel, access employment after their studies, and to be able to work in an inclusive environment.”

Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice Chancellor of RCSI commented: “RCSI is proud to be granted an Autism Friendly HEI Candidate Badge. We are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the University and continue to develop our inclusive culture. We look forward to further enhancing supports for autistic students and staff at RCSI and thank AsIAm for their support and guidance.”