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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Members of Westport Autism Friendly Town and Ballina Autism Friendly Town at the AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Awards in the Mansion House in Dublin
WESTPORT and Ballina have been recognised for making their communities more autism-friendly.
The Mayo towns were acknowledged by AsIAM, Ireland’s autism charity, at the AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns Awards. Thirteen communities in total were represented at the awards, which took place in Dublin’s Mansion House over the weekend.
Both towns received the New Community Recognition Award. Additionally, Ballina the Sensory Accessibility Award.
Ballina and Westport formed their respective Autism Friendly Town committees in the last two years and join a growing number of locations that have taken practical steps to make their spaces, businesses, and services more accessible for autistic individuals and their families.
Ballina have launched their plan to achieve AsIAM’s official Autism Friendly Town accreditation. Westport’s Autism Friendly Town committee will hold their official launch this Friday, February 28, in Westport Town Hall.
Maura Kiely, Chairperson of Westport Autism Friendly Town, said the group ‘are incredibly proud’ to receive the recognition.
“Over the past year, our community has worked together to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive for autistic individuals. From increasing awareness and education to improving accessibility in public spaces and businesses, this achievement reflects the collective effort of so many people in Westport. We look forward to continuing our work and building on this momentum,” said Ms Kiely.
Adam Harris, CEO and founder of AsIAm, said: “An autism-friendly community is one that sees, understands, and values autistic people. We are proud to recognise Ballina for its commitment to fostering a more inclusive environment and for the steps it has taken to ensure that autistic individuals and their families can participate fully in everyday life. These efforts set an example for other towns and cities across Ireland, and we look forward to continuing this journey together.”
For more on the launch of Westport Autism Friendly Town, see Living Page 27.
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