Autistic People's Rights and the Law

Understand the rights of autistic people

This four-week course will provide an overview of legislation affecting various aspects of autistic people’s lives. The course aims to amplify and uplift autistic voices, exploring the power dynamics at play in advocating for the rights of autistic people.

Using examples from UK and worldwide legislation, you’ll examine the impact of policy on autistic rights, in the contexts of social care, social inclusion, and employment.

With the knowledge you gain, you’ll be able to implement good practice and contribute to improving the lives of autistic people in these key areas.

Learn how to improve social inclusion and enhance social care for autistic people

Focussing on issues surrounding social care and social inclusion, you’ll consider the quality of care received by autistic people.

You’ll begin to reflect on best practices and ways of improving social care.

Explore the experience of autistic people in the criminal justice system

In the final phase of the course, you’ll investigate the experiences of autistic people who come into contact with the criminal justice system, whether as offenders or as victims of crime.

You’ll explore how autistic differences can influence the treatment people receive, and consider best practices for supporting autistic people within justice systems.

Over the four weeks of the course, your learning will be guided by autistic and non-autistic academics at the University of Kent, who’ll share their expertise on legal issues impacting the lives of autistic people.

This course is designed for anyone interested in supporting the rights of autistic people and learning more about their experiences.

It will be particularly valuable for autistic people, their family members, or professionals advocating on behalf of autistic people.

This course is designed for anyone interested in supporting the rights of autistic people and learning more about their experiences.

It will be particularly valuable for autistic people, their family members, or professionals advocating on behalf of autistic people.

• Identify legislation relevent to different aspects of autistic people's lives
• Describe the power-dynamics involved in advocating for autistic rights
• Critique the impact of policy on autistic rights in the context of social care, employment and social inclusion
• Discuss the experiences of autistic people who come into contact with the Criminal Justice System
• Explain how autistic differences impact on how autistic people are treated within the Criminal Justice System
• Apply what you have learned about good practice to improve the lives of autistic people