Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1446843
AS a loving and caring society moving on 21st century tracks, the Autism Friendly Spaces project launched this week is the best example of giving in- clusivity, quality of life and vol- untary services a secure foot- ing: a commitment on behalf of Maltese society that, with open arms, opens doors to a sizeable sector of our population that needs understanding and un- conditional support. Apart from a project mir- rored by my ministerial port- folio, it is a reflection of a gov- ernment that has unfailingly matched its ambitions and aspirations in this sector with concrete deeds. The creation of Autism Friendly Spaces would not have been achieved without the contribution of Prisms, the NGO whose dedicated group of young workers and volunteers helped make it possible, Aġen- zija Żgħażagħ and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. They were solidly backed by various European organisations, among them the Belgium-based Autism Eu- rope, the Autism University of North Macedonia and "Learn- ing Designers" from Spain, to turn an ideal into what is now a working reality. Some may wrongly think the Autism Friendly Spaces project addresses a small niche in Mal- tese population, but confirmed statistics established global- ly by the US Government's CDC, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show otherwise. It is estimated that one person out of every 88 is subject to this condition, wid- ening the spectrum enough to demand everyone's attention. In as direct a manner as pos- sible, this is what the Autism Friendly Spaces project actual- ly does. The project, funded by the EU's Erasmus+ programme and the first of its kind, focuses on young autistic men and women by establishing inclusive, open spaces for them where they can experience their unique senso- ry approach to life. In this way they become part and parcel of a society they rightfully be- long to, and so providing them with a better quality of life as they go into adulthood with confidence and a belief in their qualities and talents. It is only fair to acknowledge the unstinting support of the eight public establishments that have accepted to become "Autism Friendly Spaces", by carrying out the necessary al- terations to make their places a better sensory and inclusive experience for autistic persons, and by training and foster- ing among their employees a greater awareness of this con- dition. In so doing, they also make sure their clients are also aware of this distinctive and highly-rewarding approach to autism by opening their arms and doors to those who need them as much as the rest. In- clusivity at its very proudest and kindest. The "Prisms" Mark of Quali- ty has fittingly been granted to Esplora, Gallarija Darmanin, Malta International Airport, Malta National Aquarium, the National Museum of Archae- ology, the Natural History Mu- seum, Festival ZiguZajg and Eden Cinemas, to all of which Maltese society will forever be grateful, hoping their pio- neering acceptance is the cat- alyst for other establishments, private or otherwise, to make Maltese society an even great- er basin of support and inclu- sivity. But how do these estab- lishments make it all work? The practicalities are many, of course depending on the style and character of the Mark-of-Quality holder. There are those who carry out phys- ical changes to allow fading lights and music as well as screens. In the case of cine- mas, for example, popcorn machines are operated prior to showtime so as to avoid any unnecessary noises, while tick- ets can be bought either on- line or via machines that help avoid queues and waiting time. A film's transmission is not interrupted by intermission or advertisements, with the low lights kept on and the hall doors open. During visits, other establish- ments offer individual compa- ny to autistic persons for them to have their own different ways of viewing and touring the places in complete comfort and ease. The project cannot be a stat- ic one. It needs to grow and flourish, hence the creation of research-backed online mod- ules on its website and app to provide information on autism – its different sensory, intel- lectual and social aspects – to educators and youth workers alike who will be encouraged to form their own inclusive classes/groups. Young, autistic men and women have their social lives and the setting up of tempo- rary hubs and the holding of informal workshops will pave the way for them to integrate much better in society as they eventually join existing hubs where they will make new friends and be able to be a part of the scene on the threshold of full maturity. The project also addresses the noble objectives of the Nation- al Strategy for Autism, the first ever of its kind in Malta and which we launched last No- vember. It is entirely designed to address a better awareness of autism in Maltese society, to emphasise the education- al aspect of inclusivity and to provide open public spaces, such as those already available in the eight founding establish- ments. There is still so much more to do, but the success of this project will go a long way to- wards consolidating what has been achieved over the past few years when government, its agencies and departments, volunteer organisations, fam- ilies, academics and consult- ants, as well as the regional and international institutions, have made of inclusivity and a better quality of life a reality to be proud of. Open arms have opened doors. 12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 JANUARY 2022 Julia Farrugia Portelli is minister for Inclusion, Social Wellbeing and Voluntary Organisations OPINION Julia Farrugia Open arms that open doors Saying we should keep the two-party political system simply because it is still working is like saying the Titanic voyage was a success because a few people survived on life rafts