The members and businesses of this community have all united in order to become Ireland’s first autism-friendly town.
In order for the town of Clonakilty to achieve the title, over 212 organizations worked with the As I Am charity in order to be accredited as autism-friendly.
Clonakilty businesses were accredited after implementing four simple measures: they erected maps and visual guides of their facilities; they made sure that their buildings were open to service dogs; they set up relaxation zones for visitors or guests who may become overwhelmed by their surrounds; and finally, they established quiet time periods that will have adjusted environments for visitors with sensory issues.
On top of that, staff members, workers, and community members have been given autism-friendly training.
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“The town of Clonakilty has rejected isolation, stigma and loss of potential in favor of autism inclusion, acceptance and cooperation,” Adam Harris, founder of As I Am, told the Independent.
“The small changes which the organizations in the town have committed to will make a tangible difference in the life of autistic people locally but will also have a much wider impact – challenging businesses, organizations and communities across Ireland to think what they can do to become more autism-friendly,” he added.
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