Carmel and Fiacre Ryan. Photo: John Mee.

Mayo family make Oireachtas appeal for assistive technology funding

A Mayo family has been praised for their work in seeking government funding for assistive technology to help children who are non-verbal or low-verbal to communicate.

Fiacre Ryan and his mother Carmel, Castlebar, attended a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism.

They were praised by Senator Micheál Carrigy for their presentation.

Stated Senator Carrigy: "Fiacre is a non-verbal autistic young man.

"He did his Leaving Certificate, and achieved a number of honours, some years ago.

"He started in Atlantic Technological University in Mayo recently.

"He asked us to try to see past the autism and realise that we are the same inside as others.

"He asked us to please listen to the voices of those who have been silenced by our society and that it is time they are heard, valued and understood.

"He said it is some people's perception that people who cannot speak do not have intelligence.

"He said we do not assume that deaf or blind people are of lesser intelligence and asked why we would do so with autism. They are profound words from a young man.

"I hope the evidence they gave will lead to government funding for assistive technology.

"The technology exists and is manufactured in the State.

"I hope we can allow children, particularly those who are non-verbal or low verbal, to communicate and show how intelligent they really are.

"It is incumbent on government in 2023 to do that. The IT exists and is developed in this country. We need to fund it."