Autscape 2025: Building autistic space in and through trade unions

Janine will be delivering an illustated lecture at Autscape 2025 on Building Autistic Space in and through Trade Unions. The lecture will be followed by a discussion session.

Autistic workers: Building Autistic Space in and through Trade Unions

This will be an illustrated talk covering:

• issues for autistic people at work, including lack of autistic space
• trade unions: what they are, what they do, their strengths and limitations, how they can help to create autistic space at work
• progress in trade unions becoming more inclusive of autistic workers
• autistic workers in trade union disabled members’ structures
• autistic workers’ experiences of trade union involvement
• how autistic workers can create autistic space in and through trade unions
• questions and answers, continuing in the associated discussion session.

The talk will draw on the presenter’s extensive experience, and will also use accounts from autistic workers, information about workers’ rights, and explanations of how trade unions work – including that any adult can join a union.

Autscape: a word from the organisers

Autscape is a conference with a difference. Rather than talking to a primarily non-autistic audience about autism, this conference is specifically by and for autistic people. Some of it isn’t even about autism at all! Non-autistic people are also welcome, but the environment and content of the event are centred around autistic people’s needs, interests and sensitivities.

Autscape lasts three days in which there are workshops, leisure activities, social opportunities, and more, all specifically oriented to the needs and preferences of autistic people.

The theme of Autscape 2025 is ‘evolving autistic space’. Sessions will include:

• Lectures
  • Building Autistic Space in and through Trade Unions
  • Evolution of Autscape
  • Inner Autistic Space – Making Room for Feeling
  • Lost in Space
  • Multi-Modal communication spaces
• Verbal Workshops
  • A World of Senses
  • Beyond the badges – preventing marginalization in autistic space
  • Building Autistic-First Spaces Through Podcasting
  • How Language and Culture Influence Autistic Spaces in Europe
  • The relationship between double empathy and mentalising
• Hands-on / Practical Workshops
  • A Little Piece Of Autistic Space: An Art Workshop & (Optional) Postcard Swap
  • Creating space with Qigong

Autscape: a second appearance

Janine ran a session on autistic advocacy through poetry at Autscape 2023, jointly with Kate Fox.