Autism Acceptance Week 2024 and Housing

First published ahead of World Autism Acceptance Week 2024, this article asks what acceptance should mean when autistic people are looking for a home.

The National Autistic Society’s campaign ran from 2 to 8 April 2024. Understanding an individual’s needs, preferences and strengths matters throughout the year.

Decorative: We're supporting World Autism Acceptance Week. 2-8 April 2024. National Autistic Society.

What is Autism Acceptance Week?

Awareness alone does not ensure that autistic people are understood or included. The aim of the week was to advocate for the acceptance of autism in society, and work towards building a more inclusive world that empowers autistic people to live with dignity, opportunity and independence.

What acceptance means for housing

At Zetetick, we believe that providing independence for people with autism starts from their home life. A safe place to call home is the foundation to just about everything we do in our lives, so it’s important to create supportive, accommodating environments for people with autism regardless of their backgrounds or life stages. Unfortunately, a person with autism can face a number of challenges when it comes to securing and maintaining supported housing:

Limited availability of housing options that cater to specific needs.
Inaccessible layouts and lack of sensory-friendly features.
Discrimination and stigma from landlords and property managers.
Financial barriers including high rental costs and additional expenses.
Lack of tailored support services and accommodations.
Challenges transitioning to independent living.
Housing instability due to discrimination and financial hardship.

How Can I Help Advocate for Supported Housing Solutions?

People with autism face a number of barriers when applying for a home, but there are ways that you can help. By reading this blog, you’ve already taken a step in the right direction!

Amplify Autistic Voices

Understand their priorities and values. The National Autistic Society do a great job of this with their Moonshot Vision report – which lays out the conditions and milestones that autistic people rightly expect to support them day-to-day such as affordable and specialised housing, tailored to their specific needs.

Volunteer

Get involved in autism advocacy initiatives. Attend events, volunteer your time, and support fundraising efforts to help advance the cause of autism acceptance and inclusion within housing.

Share the Zetetick Mission!

You have the power to make a difference! Whether through word of mouth or on socials, you can utilise your platform to amplify our message. Start a conversation with us on Bluesky, share our posts on Linkedin, your support will enable us to reach even more individuals who are in need of quality, supported housing. Together, we can help to ensure that people on the autism spectrum are understood, and work towards creating a more supportive and inclusive society for them to thrive in.

Housing that suits the person

Empowering people with learning disabilities and autism to live as valued members within specialised, quality homes is at the forefront of our values at Zetetick.

We provide housing and tenancy support, working with care partners who provide care. We consider each person’s preferences and needs when assessing a possible home. Whether it’s adapting a property for wheelchair use, selecting housing in a specific location, or ensuring that there’s easily accessible outdoor garden spaces, we’ll always try to secure a property that meets the tenants’ needs as closely as possible, with the aim of finding somewhere they can feel at home. Suitability, availability and funding still need to be agreed for each referral.

By promoting awareness, reducing stigma, and advocating for policy changes, we can create a more inclusive and supported housing environment for autistic individuals, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to find a place they can call home.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming one of our tenants, you can make a referral. Join us in our mission to provide inclusive and quality housing for those who need it most.