COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, March 09, 2026

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That this Council calls on SDCC to partner with AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism Charity, and relevant stakeholders already engaged in Autism-Friendly Villages initiatives, with a view to achieving recognition as an Autism-Friendly County, and that, as an initial step, a working group be established to progress this objective.

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council continues to progress a coordinated, organisation-wide approach to improving accessibility and inclusion for autistic and neurodivergent people across the county. While the Council does not currently have the capacity to establish a dedicated Autism-Friendly County working group, autism- and neurodiversity-inclusive practice is being embedded across Council services, facilities and community programmes as part of mainstream service delivery.

Governance arrangements to support this work are being strengthened through the establishment of a Disability Advisory Board, with expressions of interest to issue shortly. The Board will provide advice and feedback to inform Council policy, planning and service delivery, ensuring that lived experience plays a central role in shaping accessible and inclusive outcomes.

The Equality Office is leading a number of strategic initiatives to improve the accessibility of Council services and buildings. This includes progressing a Multi-Party Framework with Dublin City Council to deliver accessibility audits across towns and villages, using a Universal Design approach that explicitly considers the needs of neurodivergent people. In parallel, work is ongoing towards Autism-Friendly Service Provider accreditation for County Hall. A sensory environmental assessment was completed in 2025, informing practical improvements including the development of sensory maps and Visual Guides for key public-facing areas.

Recognising the importance of staff capacity in delivering inclusive services, the Council has prioritised autism-inclusive training for front-facing staff. A total of 132 staff members in County Hall and Clondalkin Civic Offices have been nominated to participate in specialist training during 2026, supporting improved understanding, inclusive communication and positive customer engagement.

At community level, the Council continues to support Autism-Friendly Towns through its Community Development programme. Clondalkin has achieved Autism-Friendly Town accreditation, and support is ongoing for Involve Autism in Templeogue as they progress towards accreditation. Autism-inclusive measures are also being integrated into major civic events, including the provision of dedicated relaxed spaces at the 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade in Tallaght.

The Council has implemented a countywide programme to improve accessibility in public spaces through the rollout of communication boards in parks, playspaces and community centres. These supports are now embedded as a standard requirement for all new and upgraded playspaces under the Play Policy, with further locations being identified on an ongoing basis.

SDCC Libraries continue to play a central role in advancing autism- and neurodiversity-inclusive public spaces. Inclusive practices are embedded across library services and programmes, including sensory-friendly environments, communication supports, outreach initiatives and inclusive cultural and learning programmes. In 2025, libraries delivered 487 neurodiverse-inclusive events, reflecting a sustained and strategic approach to accessibility.

Through Active South Dublin, the Council also supports autism-inclusive participation in sport and physical activity, including adapted cycling, supported fitness programmes, autism-specific summer camps and inclusive events delivered as part of Disability in Sport Week.

Overall, through a whole-of-organisation approach spanning governance, service design, staff training, community development, public realm improvements, libraries, events and sport, South Dublin County Council is embedding autism-friendly and neurodiversity-inclusive practices across its operations. This approach demonstrates clear progress to date and provides a strong foundation for continued development as capacity and resources allow.