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VISUAL AIDS: Autism specialists use a range of tools to assist with learning

AUTISM VOICE UK, a relatively new organisation working to end stigma and discrimination in the Black And Minority Ethnic (BAME) community in London and the West Indian Association of Service Personnel (WASP) are partnering to share information about autism with Lambeth residents.

The partnership was marked with the opening of an arts and cultural club for autistic young adults in Lambeth on 7 November. The club, which is hosted at the WASP building on Clapham Manor Street in the borough aims to educate autistic young adults with the arts and cultural skills that will inspire and empower them with a sense of cultural identity, instil self-belief and boost confidence.

After series of meetings and discussions, the two organisations concluded that autism in the BAME community is often ignored due to cultural factors and factors pertaining to ethnicity; hence their partnership.

"Our aim is to end stigma and discrimination of autistic people (both children and adult) and their families in the BAME community", says Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Autism Voice UK Mariama Korrca Kandeh.

"We also aim to raise awareness about the many issues that are often ignored due to cultural and religious barriers that condemn speaking out in our community", she added.

Chairman of WASP Vincent McBead expressed his organisation’s commitment to the collaboration and said WASP’s goal is to ensure that Autism Voice UK is established within the community. He lauded the efforts of Autism Voice UK and noted that the initiative is for the good of the BAME community, especially people and families affected by the condition.

The partnership also involves a one year free usage of the WASP building by Autism Voice UK for all its activities.

Autism Voice UK offers a range of services including one-to-one emotional support for autistic adults, families and carers, outreach to communities in south London boroughs Lambeth and Southwark as well as autism education in places of worship and at community gatherings.