from the TUC handbook, Autism in the Workplace
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Autism (APPGA) is a formal cross-party backbench group of MPs and Peers who share an interest in autism and Asperger syndrome. It was set up in February 2000. Its role is to campaign in Parliament for greater awareness of autism and Asperger syndrome, and to lobby the Government for improved services for people with autism and Asperger syndrome, and their carers.
The official objective is:
“To raise awareness of issues affecting people with autism and Asperger syndrome, their families and carers; to raise Parliamentary awareness of autism; to campaign for changes to government policy to benefit people with autism and Asperger syndrome and improve diagnosis or, support for, people with autism and Asperger syndrome.”
The APPGA does not have any powers to introduce legislation, nor is it part of Government. But it provides a useful platform for important and topical issues
around autism to be discussed and raised in Parliament.
Among its members, Labour MP John McDonnell MP has worked closely with trade unionists on the issue of autism.
