AUTISM CYMRU AND THE IRISH SOCIETY FOR AUTISM WELCOME YOU TO THE MEIFOD COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL For an awareness raising evening with our guest speaker, DEAN BEADLE

WE HOPE THAT THIS EVENT WILL BE INFORMATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING

This event has been arranged so that we can bring you news of our 3 year joint funded project with the European Regional Development Fund. I shall outline how the Project will bring further ASD understanding, knowledge and awareness to 7 Welsh local authorities

As well as the opportunity to hear our inspirational speaker, Dean Beadle

THE DEIS CYFLE ! PROJECT (means Opportunity in Gaelic as well as Cymraeg) Begun on 1 st May 2009 and will end on 30 th April 2012

Project Aims To develop cross-border training packages, self- evaluation tools and monitoring and evaluation materials for secondary schools; Colleges of Further & Higher Education; Job Centres and Employment Training/ Preparation Agencies, throughout North and West Wales and Eastern Ireland, as the basis for increasing employability of people with ASD. The project aims to develop bespoke training materials for a range of practitioners which can lead to an accredited professional qualification.

The area eligible to be covered by the ERDF requirements

Based on the strength of Autism Cymru’s working relationships around Wales, we have chosen to focus the work of the Deis Cyfle ! Project on :- Gwynedd Ynys Mon Flintshire Wrexham Swansea Pembrokeshire And Carmarthenshire

The Project will work with Gwynedd and Mon Secondary schools in the first year (May 2009 – April 2010) and develop a training package and self evaluation tool for school practitioners working with the14-19 age group. With input from school staff and young people with ASD and their families

This will be built upon in the following 2 years of Deis Cyfle !, with Gwynedd and Mon helping to develop our databases and training package. Careers, leisure and employment focus in 2 of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Wrexham or Flintshire. Data collection on career, leisure employment opportunities & awareness raising events Information sharing event for parents, carers and YP - Autumn 2010 Day 1 of Revised Training Programme in 3 areas – Spring 2011 ‘Enabling young people with ASD to enter work’ booklet Year 2

FE and HE focus in 2 of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea, Wrexham or Flintshire. Data collection on FE/HE opportunities & awareness raising event Consultation event for parents, carers and YP - Autumn 2011 Run Day 2 of Training Programme in 6 areas – Spring 2012 ‘Further and Higher education opportunities for YP with ASDs’ booklet Year 3 With Gwynedd and Mon helping to develop our databases and training package.

Our overall aim in both countries is to enable the people who deliver post school opportunities to individuals with ASD to understand and cater for their needs. To help to improve life opportunities and to achieve their potential

Within the scope of the funding and the time, The Deis Cyfle ! Project will not be able to :- Offer chances for exchange visits to Ireland Work directly with each individual or their family Help to set up individual services Fund the development of services Employ practitioners directly, but we will be able to offer short-term funding for training consultants Work more intensively in one area to the detriment of others

But by beginning in Gwynedd & Mon, you will receive the most input over 3 years of any Welsh partner in our Project. We are really interested in your thoughts and any offers of further feedback, so please fill in the feedback form or get directly in touch with me – Diolch yn fawr

Now it’s time for Dean !!