ACT NOW forges ahead

Readers of my Facebook page will note that I have changed my profile picture to include the ACT NOW logo. ACT stands for Autism Campaigners Together.

A group of seven from across the country set up ACT NOW as a pressure group to improve the well-being of people with autism and their carers. Working in a voluntary capacity they published an excellent Impact Assessment Report, launched it at a conference in London and delivered a petition with 6,000 signatories to 10 Downing Street.

ACT NOW currently is engaged in a mammoth task - drawing together information on cuts being made by local authorities and NHS trusts to services which relate to autism. 

ACT NOW is engaged also in opposing the changes being made by the Department of Work and Pensions which impact on those with autism and also the problems that cuts in Legal Aid will bring when appealing against decisions by statutory bodies.

All this has been done at the personal expense of the Founders of ACT NOW.

Much needs to be done, not  least campaigning against the woolly guidance issued by the Department of Health to local authorities and NHS organisations to support implementation of the autism strategy.

Have a look at the ACT NOW pages on Facebook and please feel free to join the campaign