A Scotland that is aware, understanding and inclusive
Through the Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme, we are aiming to make Scotland a more accessible, inclusive and understanding place for autistic people to learn, work and live. The programme consists of a marketing campaign, managed by the Scottish Government, and ten funded charity projects. The programme is directed by autistic people’s lived experiences, governed by the Steering Committee and supported by the Autism Advisory Forum. The funded charities are also partners in this programme, helping to influence the direction of the national marketing campaign and promote the campaign at a local level.
Funded Charities 2021/23
In partnership with the Scottish government, Inspiring Scotland will distribute £400,000 of funding across ten charities in Scotland.
Phase Two of the Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme funding supports projects that do either or both of the following:
- delivering resources, tools or other ways that help raise understanding of autism amongst the non-autistic population
- supporting autistic people to access & participate in their communities.
A full evaluation of the programme to date will be available later in 2021, in the meantime you can read about what the Phase 1 funded projects have been doing over the last six months, from June 2020 – January 2021, with an update on the impact of the Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme over this time.
Read our 2020-2021 Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme Progress Report below.Â
Increasing Understanding of Autism Programme
This programme is a direct response to the Scottish Government’s 2017 Engagement Exercise, which emphasised the need to raise understanding of autism amongst the non-autistic population.
The consultation highlighted the importance of increasing understanding, awareness and acceptance of autism, reducing autism stereotypes and building a society which is accessible, inclusive and values neurodiversity.
The programme aims to raise understanding across Scottish society about the needs of autistic people and the challenges that they face, as well as highlighting the strengths and diversity that autistic people bring to society.
See below the new Different Minds.One Scotland. TV ADÂ
We've got experience
Inspiring Scotland have been working with the Scottish Government since 2016 to develop support for autistic people, their families, their carers and others supporting the autistic community.
The current fund is a successor to the Autism and Innovation fund. Download the final progress report below.
Webpage image credit: Perth Autism Support
Our news
22.10.2021
Autism Advisory Forum- learning from those with lived experience
Inspiring Scotland supports charity partners working across a number of thematic funds. Part of our work ensuring individuals can lead full and fulfilling lives focuses on making Scotland a more accessible, inclusive and understanding place for autistic people to learn, work and live. Hearing from people with lived experience is central to this work and
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15.10.2020
The world needs people who think differently
In our latest blog, Autism Performance Advisor Allison Crawford writes about the development of the Different Minds. One Scotland campaign and the collaborative process which helped bring the campaign into fruition.
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16.12.2019
New portfolio focused on understanding autism announced
Nine charities offering a range of community and employment projects from around Scotland have been announced as recipients of almost £400,000 of funding aimed at raising society’s understanding of autism. This fund aims to make employment and community participation more accessible and to help autistic people to live active and independent lives. The fund will
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Portfolio Charities
Autism
Central Advocacy Partners
Central Advocacy Partners (CAP) provides multiple advocacy and inclusion services for autistic people and people with learning disabilities in Forth Valley. This project will support the young people in the ‘Autistic’n’Awesome’ group to deliver workshops for other young autistic people, to increase their skills and confidence. centraladvocacypartners.org.uk @centraladvocacy
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Autism
Perth Autism Support SCIO
Perth Autism Support SCIO support autistic children/young people and their families to reach their full potential through training and social, mental health and transitions support. This project will develop an employability programme for autistic teens, offering training to local businesses and facilitating interest-based work experience placements for autistic young people. perthautismsupport.org.uk @Perth_Autism
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Autism
Autism Atlas
ATLAS aims to increase autism awareness and acceptance in local communities across Scotland. They deliver training developed from autistic people’s experiences to createcommunities where autistic people and their carers feel valued, respected and safe. This project will develop and deliver autism training across Scotland and create content for their Facebook page that increases the acceptance
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