European Union Charter of Rights for Persons with Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders, characterized by social impairments, communication difficulties, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior. Autistic disorder, sometimes called autism or classical ASD, is the most severe form of ASD, while other conditions along the spectrum include a milder form known as Asperger syndrome, and childhood disintegrative disorder and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (usually referred to as PDD-NOS). Although ASD varies significantly in character and severity, it occurs in all ethnic and socioeconomic groups and affects every age group. Experts estimate that 1 out of 88 children age 8 will have an ASD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, March 30, 2012). Males are four times more likely to have an ASD than females.

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The Charter of Rights for Person with Autism was co-written by Pat Matthews, Executive Director of the Irish Society for Autism.

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Thursday May 9th, 1996 will be remembered by parents, professionals and friends of people with Autism as a historic occasion in the European Union for the attainment of rights by persons with Autism.

On this special day the President of the European Parliament announced that Written Declaration 3/96 by Mrs Banotti on the rights of people with Autism had been signed by 331 Members and passed by the parliament.

Pursuant to Rule 48 (4) of the European Parliament, the Parliament instructed its President to forward the declaration on all EU languages to the Institutions of the Union and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

This is only the third declaration to be adopted since the rules changed in 1990.

The Declaration will have far reaching consequences for the quality of life for children and adults with Autism across Europe.

The Declaration states that people with Autism should have the same rights enjoyed by all EU citizens, where such be appropriate and in the best interest of the person with Autism and that these rights should be enhanced and enforced by appropriate legislation in each member state.

Diagnostic services, individualized education, family support, housing, vocational training and life long care, will all now have to be adequately addressed and appropriate services provided.

On behalf of people with Autism I congratulate Ms. Mary Banotti and all the other M.E.P.'s who worked hard to achieve this momentous approval.

Pat Matthews
Executive Director, Irish Society for Autism.
Immediate Past President, World Autism Organization.

European Charter for Persons with Autism

People with autism should share the same rights and privileges enjoyed by all of the European population where such are appropriate and in the best interests of the person with autism. These rights should be enhanced, protected and enforced by appropriate legislation in each state.

The United Nations declaration on the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons (1971) and the Rights of Handicapped Persons (1975) and other relevant declarations on human rights should be considered and in particular, for people with autism the following should be included:

• The right of people with autism to accessible and suitable housing.
• The right of people with autism to accessible and appropriate education.
• The right of people with autism to accessible transport and freedom of movement.
• The right of people with autism to freedom from pharmacological abuse or misuse.
• The right of people with autism to freedom from abusive physical treatment or neglect.
• The right of people with autism to live independent and full lives to the limit of their potential.
• The right of people with autism to an accessible, unbiased and accurate clinical diagnosis and assessment.
• The right of people with autism to participate in and benefit from culture, entertainment, recreation and sport.
• The right of people with autism of equal access to and use of all facilities, services and activities in the community.
• The right of people with autism to sexual and other relationships, including marriage, without exploitation or coercion.
• The right of people with autism (and their representatives) to legal representation and assistance and to the full protection of all legal rights.
• The right of people with autism to participate, as far as possible, in the development and management of services provided for their wellbeing.
• The right of people with autism to an income or wage sufficient to provide adequate food, clothing, accommodation and the other necessities of life.
• The right of people with autism to freedom from fear or threat of unwarranted incarceration in psychiatric hospitals or any other restrictive institution.
• The right of people with autism to the equipment, assistance and support services necessary to live a fully productive life with dignity and independence.
• The right of access of people with autism (and their representatives) to all information contained in their personal, medical, psychological, psychiatric and educational records.
• The right of people with autism (and their representatives) to be involved in all decisions affecting their future; the wishes of the individual must be, as far as possible, ascertained and respected.
• The right of people with autism to meaningful employment and vocational training without discrimination or stereotype; training and employment should have regard to the ability and choice of the individual.
• The right of people with autism to appropriate counseling and care for their physical, mental and spiritual health; this includes the provision of appropriate treatment and medication administered in the best interest of the individual with all protective measures taken.

Presented at the 4th Autism-Europe Congress, Den Haag, 10 May 1992.
Adopted as a Written Declaration by the European Parliament on May 9th, 1996.

Autism-Europe, Avenue Van Becelaere 26B, bte 21, B - 1170 Bruxelles, Belgium
Phone +32 2 675 75 05
Fax +32 2 675 72 70.

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