Sinn Féin local election candidate Conor D. McGuinness has called for Waterford Council to adopt an Autism Empowerment Strategy for Waterford, which would seek to make the local authority more accessible and responsive to autistic people and their families.
McGuinness said:
“April marks World Autism Awareness Month and to mark the occasion Sinn Féin secured cross-party support in the Dáil to establish an All-Party Oireachtas Committee on Autism, with the purpose of developing and publishing a comprehensive Autism Empowerment Strategy within a six month period. I want to comment the work of TDs Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Kathleen Funchion who have led on this, and Waterford city East local election candidate Michael Doyle who was instrumental in drafting the bill.”
“I believe Waterford City and Council should show leadership in this regard and mirror this process by engaging with autistic people and their families and to examine how the Council can change, enhance or improve its service to empower and better serve autistic citizens in Waterford. If elected to the local authority this May I will make it this work a personal priority.”
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 