Rights for Autistic Adults
As an autistic person living in the UK you have some legal rights, especially if you have a formal diagnosis of autism. This is because the government considers autism to be a disability.
So, for example, if you live anywhere in the UK you have rights under the Equality Act (2010) or the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) and subsequent amending legislation. These Acts require employers and service providers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to ensure they do not discriminate against you.
If you live in England, you also have rights under the Autism Act (2009), and the autism strategy which followed it. The autism strategy tells local authorities and NHS agencies what actions should be taken to meet the needs of autistic adults living in their area. The other countries in the UK have similar strategies.
Specific Acts, Policies and Strategies
England
- Adult autism strategy: statutory guidance. (2015). London: HMSO. Read Full Item | EasyRead (PDF document). This guidance tells public services what actions should be taken to meet the needs of people on the autism spectrum living in their area.
- Autism Act (2009). (2009). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which put a duty on the Government to produce a strategy for adults on the autism spectrum in England and to produce statutory guidance for local councils and local health bodies on implementing that strategy.
- Care Act 2014. London: HMSO. Read Full Item (websitepage) | EasyRead. Act which builds on recent reviews and reforms, replacing numerous previous laws, to provide a coherent approach to adult social care in England.
- Equality Act (2010). (2010). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
- Fulfilling and rewarding lives: the strategy for adults with autism in England. (2010). London: Department of Health. Read Full Item|EasyRead (PDF documents). Strategy which sets out how public services for adults on the autism spectrum in England should be delivered.
- Think autism: Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, the strategy for adults with autism in England: an update. (2014). London: Department of Health. Read Full Item | EasyRead (PDF documents). Updates the strategy on public services for adults on the autism spectrum in England.
Northern Ireland
- Autism Act (Northern Ireland) 2011. Belfast: Northern Ireland Executive. Read Full Item (website page). An Act to amend the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 and to require an autism strategy to be prepared.
- Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) strategic action plan 2008/09 - 2010/11 (2008). Belfast: Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety. Read Full Item (PDF document). Strategy which sets out how public services for people on the autism spectrum in Northern Ireland should be delivered.
- Autism Strategy (2013-20) and Action Plan (2013-16) (2013). Belfast: Northern Ireland Executive. Read Full Item (PDF document). Update of the strategy on public services for people on the autism spectrum in Northern Ireland.
- Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (1995). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
Scotland
- Equality Act (2010). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page). Act which legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
- Scottish strategy for autism. (2011). Edinburgh: Scottish Government. Read Full Item | EasyRead (PDF documents). Strategy which sets out how public services for adults on the autism spectrum in Scotland should be delivered.
Wales
- Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) strategic action plan for Wales. (2008). Cardiff: Welsh Government. Read Full Item (PDF document)
- Equality Act (2010). London: HMSO. Read Full Item (website page)
More Information
Please see
Related Pages
- Updated
- 15 Jun 2022