The Victorian Government has released the Victorian autism plan: 2023 refresh and a new campaign promoting autism-friendly workplaces.
The refreshed plan responds to four priority areas identified by autistic Victorians and the autistic community. This includes making sure:
- we can help people sooner by finding out about them early and giving them the right supports
- autistic people do not miss out on health and mental health supports
- autistic people do not miss out on education and finding a job
- we have better data and research.
Around one in 100 Australians is autistic with many undiagnosed. Autistic people are our family members, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Autism affects the way individuals interact with others and how they experience the world around them.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and Amaze are also proud to launch the second phase of an Autism plan initiative, the Change your reactions public education campaign in November. In this phase, we highlight the value that autistic people bring to the workplace in Autism friendly workplaces work for everyone.
The campaign tells the story of four autistic people contributing to workplaces in construction, in the office, in hospitality and education.
These real-life experiences show employers that being an autism friendly workplace can be easy. Small adjustments - such as providing headphones or written instructions - can make a big difference for autistic people, and benefit others too.
To read the plan and find out more, visit the Victorian autism plan: 2023 refresh webpage.