Lusk wins at AsIAm autism-friendly town awards

Lusk town took home the Sensory Accessibility award at the Autism Friendly Town Awards 2024. 

Held by AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, the award ceremony took place at the Aisling Hotel in Dublin, where Maynooth received the AsIAm Autism Friendly Town Award 2024 and five other communities, including Lusk, were acknowledged with Special Recognition Awards.

The AsIAm Autism Friendly Town Awards is an annual event in which communities across Ireland are awarded for following a series of principles aimed at fostering Autism inclusion and empowerment in local communities.

Lusk achieved several targets set by AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns. The town’s application placed an emphasis on sensory accessibility, including the creation of visual guides for the Lusk Junior Park Run, a quiet area at Lusk Summer Festival and the hosting of a sensory-friendly lunch.

Speaking about the town’s win, Tricia Lynch, Chairperson of Lusk’s Autism Friendly Town Committee said: “This is just the beginning for Lusk’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. We are currently working towards a community sensory garden, quiet spaces around town, communication boards and an alert system for sudden changes in the environment.”

Adam Harris, CEO AsIAm, added: “The new principles adopted by the winning towns will improve access for Autistic people in day-to-day life, create supporting and accepting environments within the community and promote local business and tourism.”

All towns awarded this week achieved several key targets set out by AsIAm, including embarking on a three-year charter inclusion plan, staff training and organising Autism friendly events, among other principles that support acceptance and participation of Autistic people in their towns.