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Should there be such a thing as an autistic union?

Peter
over 1 year ago

I’ll make a poll for this later when I’m on my laptop. However the question I put to you is this. Should there exist local organisations in the major cities patterned like student unions but with the specific aim of serving autistic adults.

such organisations would:

  • operate a permanent venue which it would make available to members to run events for free or at a highly subsidised rate.
  • provide advice and advocacy services to autistic people Who feel they are being discriminated against or otherwise marginalised.
  • provide PR and networking for individuals wishing to start-up groups and events under the umbrella of the union.
  • provide careers guidance aimed at Autistic people of all levels of ability high and low who experience difficulties with the communication issues involved in jobhunting and application.

notes:

  • when I say venue I don’t necessarily mean some massive sprawling complex of buildings. Even something as small as a porter cabin would be better than nothing.
  • I am suggesting that this would constitute a bona fide autism charity under UK charity law.
  • I am not suggesting that every city would immediately be able to get such a facility, i’m saying in principle would you like there to be such a thing and should somebody start one somewhere in the hopes that it would spread to other locations?
  • I am not suggesting that an organisation of this kind could be funded purely by the membership fees of its autistic members. any more than a student union could be funded purely by the fees of its students. student unions get grants from the universities. an organisation like this would have to be in receipt of charitable grants from other bodies.

Parents
  • over 1 year ago

    One way you might go about trying to find a venue without having to actually spend money to lease or buy one, is to reach an arrangement with a sympathetic charity in the local area. if such a charity has a sizable amount of office space including One or more conference rooms it’s probably only in use from 9 to 5. If you could come to an arrangement whereby your organisation could have use of the conference rooms from six onwards provided you were responsible for keeping them in a good condition, you could effectively treat it like your own venue. But it does mean this organisation has to trust your volunteers enough to give them a key.

  • over 1 year ago in reply to Peter

    our local council allows a couple of the empty shops in my town to be used as pop-up shops or for local groups to use as a 'high street presence' on a monthly basis (I think for free) so the properties are being used. So local councils might be able to provide a temporary space for groups to form, libraries (if you're lucky enough to still have one) might be willing to help too.

  • over 1 year ago in reply to Deleted user

    'on a monthly basis' as in they get to use them once a month or as in they get to use it for a month?

Reply Children
  • over 1 year ago in reply to Peter

    they get to use it for a month or there abouts, you apply to the council to go on a list and pick from that, I don't know the full details but that is what I've heard. I got the impression it was set up initially to make use of empty premises and to help new start ups get a high street presence for a period of time to gauge interest and get a foot in the door so to speak. I've seen local charities (wildlife trust, transition town etc) using it too.