pess new paper on me

pess new paper of me

with me autism campaigner

Autism campaigner teams up with local MP at Westminster

30 MARCH 2010 85 VIEWS NO COMMENT

Autism campaigner teams up with local MP at Westminster

Steven Dodd, from Plymouth, has Asperger syndrome and has just completed three days work experience with Devon South West MP Gary Streeter (15^th-17^th March). The duo are backing a National Autistic Society(NAS) campaign to stop adults with autism being written-off by the employment and benefits system.

NAS research shows that just 15%* of adults with autism are in full time paid employment in the UK. Like many people with autism Steven wants to work, but has experienced great difficulty finding a job, due to inadequate support and misunderstandings related to his condition. He has held several voluntary positions but has never had a permanent paid job.

Whilst at Westminster, Steven (34) provided administrative support to Mr Streeter’s team, attended several meetings with the MP and watched Prime Minister’s Question Time live in the House of Commons.

He said; “They worried I would get bored but I had a fantastic time. It was inspiring and exciting to be able to see how politics works from the inside. What politicians do can have a huge effect on the lives of people with autism so I would like to thank Gary Streeter MP for his support. There are not nearly enough disabled MPs so I am thinking about a future career in politics. For now, I hope I have raised awareness of what people with autism can do with the right help. I just want to be able to work and be as independent as I can be.”

Gary Streeter MP said; “Steven is well known in my constituency for being a tenacious fundraiser. He has such a great contribution to make and is so passionate and enthusiastic about everything that he does. Working alongside him was an absolute pleasure and I was delighted to be able to offer him the opportunity. It is absolutely vital that people with autism get the help and support they need to find employment and fulfil their potential and are supported financially when they cannot work.”

The NAS Don’t write me off campaign found a third of people with autism – that is around 100,000 – currently live without a job and without benefits; many are forced to rely on family and friends as a result.

The charity is campaigning for a better understanding of autism across all Jobcentre Plus staff and new measures to make the employment and benefits system fair for people with the disability.

To find out more visit: www.autism.org.uk/dontwritemeoff

with me autism campaigner teams

Autism campaigner teams up with local MP at Westminster

Steven Dodd, from Plymouth, has Asperger syndrome and has just completed three days work experience with Devon South West MP Gary Streeter. Like many people with autism Steven wants to work, but has experienced great difficulty finding a job, due to inadequate support and misunderstandings related to his condition. He has held several voluntary positions but has never had a permanent paid job.

Whilst at Westminster, Steven (34) provided administrative support to Mr Streeter's team, attended several meetings with the MP and watched Prime Minister’s Question Time live in the House of Commons.

He said; “They worried I would get bored but I had a fantastic time. It was inspiring and exciting to be able to see how politics works from the inside. What politicians do can have a huge effect on the lives of people with autism so I would like to thank Gary Streeter MP for his support."

Gary Streeter MP said; “Steven is well known in my constituency for being a tenacious fundraiser. He has such a great contribution to make and is so passionate and enthusiastic about everything that he does. Working alongside him was an absolute pleasure and I was delighted to be able to offer him the opportunity. It is absolutely vital that people with autism get the help and support they need to find employment and fulfill their potential and are supported financially when they cannot work.”