A Dundalk father of two young kids with autism has called on Louth County Council to follow the lead of counties like Limerick by introducing Autism Friendly car parking spaces around the county.
Craig, from Muirhevnamór in Dundalk, has a two-year old daughter and a nine year old son who both have autism and he has asked the local authority to write and liaise with ASD (Autism Supporting Diversity) Ireland to identify and allocate Autism Friendly Parking Spaces throughout Dundalk and the wider Louth community.
According to Craig he is in ownership of a permit from ASD Ireland, which allows him to park in Autism Friendly Parking spaces, but as of yet there has been none of these spaces introduced in Louth.
Now Craig is appealing to local councillors as well as officials in Louth County Council to get the ball rolling and help make life easier for parents of children with autism.
“I have spoken to officials in Louth County Council asking for these autism friendly car parking spaces to be introduced locally like they are in other counties across the country. Often, because we can’t see physical evidence of the disability, it can be difficult for people to understand or recognise the challenges of others and to respond with empathy and patience,” explained Craig.
“Autism is often described as an invisible disability and is not given the same status as other disabilities which allow motorists to park in disability parking spaces.
“Parking can be a very stressful experience for families and individuals with autism and it just doesn’t seem right to me that there are disability parking bays in our towns which we are not allowed to use even though we have an ASD parking permit. If we are not allowed to use the disability bays then I am calling on Louth County Council to introduce Autism Friendly Bays.
“It would be a progressive step for Louth to become an autism-friendly county and it would make a huge difference to parents and help relieve stress and anxiety everytime you go into town to do some shopping or visit a doctor.
“If these autism friendly parking spaces are to be introduced it is vital that they be in close proximity to shops, shopping centres, medical centres and playgrounds,” stated Craig.
“Whenever I go shopping I have seen the difficulties in trying to get parked and the frustration and anxiety from the kids as you struggle to find a pace. Sometimes when you are going to the doctor you end up having to park way down the town and walk all the way back with the kids which isn’t ideal when you have a two year old and a nine year old who both have autism. I have seen these spaces being used in Limerick and I believe that Fingal County Council are rolling the initiative out soon also.
“I have been in contact with Keith Enright who founded ASD Ireland and he has stated that ASD Ireland are there to help and advise Louth County Council to get the ball rolling with this project. I wholeheartedly believe this would be a brilliant initiative for parents of autistic children locally and help relieve so much frustration and stress for a lot of people. Unfortunately, Autism is very prevalent these days and as a parent of two autistic children I am calling out to Louth County Council to give us a helping hand,” stated Craig.
