Autism Friendly Town initiative launched in Belmullet

Belmullet has taken a major step towards becoming a more inclusive and accessible town after the launch of its Autism Friendly Town initiative.

It was an intimate and welcoming event in Áras Inis Gluaire where the stage was shared between autistic people who live in the area, alongside their parents and families; AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Manager, William Nestor; members of Belmullet Autism Friendly Town committee; and representatives from Erris Youth Disability Network.

Belmullet Autism Friendly Town is an Erris-wide community initiative that aims to foster inclusion, understanding, and support for autistic people and their families in their local community.

Parent Fionnuala Meenaghan spoke poignantly about her family’s experiences.

“As a mother to Robyn, my amazing daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, this occasion is deeply personal. Autism has brought challenges but it has also brought joy, strength and love that runs deeper than I could ever have imagined. Robyn has taught us patience, resilience, and the importance of seeing the world through a different lens - a lens more meaningful than words for families like mine. Everyday life can be full of unexpected obstacles. Outings that many people take for granted require military-like precision planning. 

"A trip to the shops, a visit to the playground, even a haircut, can feel so overwhelming - not just for our children, but for us as parents too. As a parent of an autistic child, I long for understanding and for a community that doesn’t just accept differences, but adapts to support those differences. Today, Belmullet is saying something so powerful: ‘We see you, we support you, you belong’.”