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How public commitments become reliable delivery in practice
Northern Ireland has had autism legislation since 2011 and successive autism strategies for more than a decade. The expectation is clear - commitments must be delivered and demonstrated in practice.
The public problem lies in the barriers that remain unaddressed, the needs that go unmet and the failures in public systems that leave people without reliable support, undermine their rights or expose them to preventable harm. It is not autism, autistic people or their families and carers.
Public action should address these problems so autistic people can exercise choice, participate, belong and live fulfilling lives on their own terms; with the support they need.
My first Annual Report, covering September 2024 to March 2026, found that delivery was not yet reliable across the areas examined. Responsibility was not always clear or coordinated, and outcomes could not consistently be demonstrated.
This public guide explains what government should be able to demonstrate about the delivery of its commitments to autistic people, and how I examine that evidence through independent scrutiny.