Autism Acceptance Festival
DCU, NCI and ATU Sligo are, respectively, the first, second and third HEIs in Ireland to receive AsIAm designation as Autism Friendly HEIs. In 2024, CCT and DkIT both received their designations. NCAD are continuing the work in preparation for application.
In 2025, we six higher education institutes are proud to work together again to host the Autism Acceptance Festival. Now in it's 4th year, this festival hosts a series of public-facing events that centre autistic people and promote autism acceptance.
Learn more about the speakers in this event and find more events in this series by visiting our Festival Hub.
Towards Autism Friendly Neighbourhoods
Time: 1-2pm
Date: Monday 24th March
On Monday 24th March at 1pm, join Dr Stuart Neilson in conversation with Robert Ward, Director of Marketing and International Development at NCI and Chair of NCI’s Autism Friendly Campus, discussing Stuart’s work on his film "A Case for Sensory Decolonisation". The discussion willl include students' response to his work, exploring how to make the theory reality.
Students are invited to a watch party event of this film, taking place on the previous evening on Sunday 23rd March at 7pm. You can join this by visiting "Watch Party - Sunday 23rd March".
Our Panelists
Bios for our panelists can be found at the end of the page.
How to Register
Sign up via the form below to secure your place at the discussion event.
Other Autism Acceptance Festival Events
If you are interested in finding out more about our other events, please visit our Festival Hub to check out what is happening.
More information on our panelists
Dr Stuart Neilson
Stuart Neilson lectures and writes about the autism spectrum as a health statistician and from his personal perspective of an autism diagnosis in 2009, at the age of 45. He was a founder member of the team that developed the innovative Diploma in Autism Studies at University College Cork, Ireland. He has a degree in computer science and a doctorate in mathematical modelling of inherent susceptibility to fatal disease. His images explore autistic portrayals and reactions to sensory stimulus and motion, particularly in public spaces, and complement his written work. Stuart Neilson's most recent publications include “Living with Asperger syndrome and Autism in Ireland”, “Painted Lorries of Pakistan” and a chapter on sensory issues and social inclusion in the anthology “Knowing Why: Adult-Diagnosed Autistic People on Life and Autism.