Big step to make north Mayo town more inclusive and accessible
BELMULLET has taken a momentous step towards becoming a more inclusive and accessible town, after the launch of Belmullet Autism Friendly Town.
It was an intimate and welcoming event in Áras Inis Gluaire, where the stage was shared between autistic people who live in the area, alongside their parents and families, AsIAm Autism Friendly Towns manager William Nestor, members of Belmullet Autism Friendly Town committee and representatives from Erris Youth Disability Network.
Belmullet Autism Friendly Town is an Erris-wide community initiative which aims to foster inclusion, understanding and support for autistic people and their families in the local community. Other towns in Mayo which have recently become Autism Friendly include Castlebar, Balla and Ballina.
At the launch, one parent, Fionnuala Meenaghan, spoke poignantly about her family’s experiences: “As a mother to Robyn, my amazing daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, this occasion is deeply personal.
“Autism has brought challenges but it has also brought joy, strength and love that runs deeper then I could ever have imagined.
“Robyn has taught us patience, resilience, and the importance of seeing the world through a different lens - a lens more meaningful than words for families like mine.
“Everyday life can be full of unexpected obstacles. Outings that many people take for granted require military-precision planning. A trip to the shops, a visit to the playground, even a haircut, can feel so overwhelming - not just for our children, but for us as parents too. As a parent of an autistic child, I long for understanding and for a community that doesn’t just accept differences, but adapts to support those differences.
“Today, Belmullet is saying something so powerful: ‘We see you, we support you, you belong’.”
William Nestor of Ireland’s national autism charity, AsIAm, said: “As a Mayo man, I am delighted to see Belmullet beginning its journey to becoming the county’s newest Autism Friendly Town. The committee members here have so much great experience between them all - they will be a fantastic support to any local businessperson who wishes to take part in this initiative and improve inclusion in their shop or office.”
Rosemarie Mangan, leader of Erris Workability (Mayo North East), said: “The Erris Workability team are delighted to see this initiative being launched here in Belmullet and we are very happy to support the committee with their work.
“There are so many supports out there now, for example, from the Department of Social Protection, and we can assist employers and employees to avail of these supports. We look forward to working alongside any local business or organisation who wants to be more inclusive for all - including people with autism, people with medical difficulties, or people with a disability.”
Belmullet Autism Friendly Town committee representative Eva Lindsay added: “We are in the very early stages of our five-year plan, but already we have been heartened by the feedback from autistic people, parents and business owners.
“Belmullet, and the wider Erris region, has long been established as a wonderful tourism destination. We look forward to working with local organisations and businesses to help make our town even more welcoming and more inclusive. This initiative is not just about awareness, it is about taking practical steps to create safe spaces for autistic people and their families.”
Áine Conway, Belmullet Autism Friendly Town committee representative, commented: “We’re here today to commit together to building a community where everyone feels understood, included, and truly supported. This initiative is about listening to autistic voices and embedding their experiences into how they encounter life in our town. And to ensure that no-one ever feels that they need to mask who they are in order to belong.”