This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Petition Fund autism awareness training for employers and staff
Even in this modern day and age, many employers still have a lack of knowledge and understanding on Autism Spectrum Disorder, why employing someone with autism can benefit the workplace, and how best to help staff with an autism diagnosis, but this needs to change to include this amazing community.
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Many autistic adults get rejected at the interview process, no matter how great their CV is. For example, if they struggle with communication, eye contact & processing information, most employers assume they're rude & incapable.
If autistic people get hired, not enough employers know how to best help them in the workplace, which can result in meltdowns and more mental health issues. If employers had more understanding, these issues could be prevented & autistic people could thrive in the workplace.
This petition is closed This petition ran for 6 months
Related activity
Share your views on the National Disability Strategy with MPs
MPs on the Women and Equalities Select Committee have launched a new inquiry into how the Government’s National Disability Strategy is working, and how the Strategy might develop in the future.
They would like to hear the views and experiences of the public and interested groups as part of their inquiry, and they especially want to hear from as many disabled people as possible.
More information about the inquiry and how to submit your views is available in multiple formats (including audio, British Sign Language and EasyRead) here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/news/171030/call-for-evidence-for-national-disability-strategy-inquiry-in-multiple-formats/
Among other topics, the Committee is seeking views on:
- What progress has been made on the Strategy so far
- How effectively the Government is communicating with disabled people
- Inequalities faced by people with learning disabilities and autism
- How the needs of disabled people can be reflected in the post-pandemic recovery
The deadline for sending your views to the Committee is Sunday 24 July.
What is the Women and Equalities Committee?
The Women and Equalities Committee holds Government to account on equality law and policy, and examines cross-Government activity on equalities. It's a cross-party committee of MPs and is independent of the Government.
Find out more about the Women and Equalities Committee: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/328/women-and-equalities-committee/
Get updates on its work by following the Committee on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CommonsWomEqu
The Women and Equalities Committee is a ‘select committee’. Find out how Select Committees work: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_2RDuDs44c
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You can also sign up to the UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference: https://parliament.us16.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3ad7e4c57a864f07e4db008c4&id=26d0645ea9
MPs hear from disabled people on National Disability Strategy
A cross-party group of MPs called the Women and Equalities Committee, has heard from disabled people and representative organisations on the Government’s National Disability Strategy.
- Watch the first session with BSL translation
- Watch the first session without BSL translation
- Read the transcript of the first session in html
The Government’s Strategy was declared unlawful by the High Court last year due to failures in the consultation process. As a result of the ruling, 14 policies have been paused. The Government is appealing the ruling, with the hearing likely to take place this Spring-Summer.
The Committee examined the Government’s engagement with disabled people and heard views on the Health and Disability White Paper, published alongside the Spring Budget, priorities for the Disability Action Plan and compliance with international obligations.
The Committee also explored policy for non-visible disabilities and health conditions, including chronic illness, mental health problems and deafness
Further information
- Read a letter from the Government to the Committee about the High Court ruling that declared the Government's strategy unlawful
- Read what the Committee is investigating in its terms of reference
- Read what people and organisations have told the Committee in 'written evidence'
- Read House of Commons Library information about the National Disability Strategy
What is the Women and Equalities Committee
The Women and Equalities Committee is a cross-party group of MPs who look into the work of the Government Equalities Office (GEO).
The Women and Equalities Committee is a select committee. Find out how select committees work.
Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament
Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.
Autism employment debated by MPs
On Thursday 25 April, MPs debated the Buckland Review of Autism Employment.
The debate was led by Sir Robert Buckland MP, who conducted the review.
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, responded on behalf of the Government.
The debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee.
What are backbench business debates?
Backbench business debates give backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) an opportunity to secure a debate on a topic of their choice, either in the House of Commons Chamber or Westminster Hall.
MPs can make a request for a debate to the Backbench Business Committee, which decides which debates to schedule.
This debate was on a motion calling on the Government, businesses and the wider economy to accept and implement the recommendations of the Buckland Review. This was agreed to.
Visual explainer: Backbench Business debates
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Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.