Naam spreker
A philosopher and linguist, Isabelle Flahaux has worked as a concert promoter and non-profit manager, and an advocate for the rights of artists and musicians. A late autism diagnosis started a new journey of self-discovery. She is the international relations officer of LAVA (Lees- en Adviesgroep Volwassenen met Autisme vzw), a Belgian autistic-led organisation that specializes in participatory autism research, and a member of the EUCAP Board. She has represented those organisations and advocated for autistic rights at various international conferences and platforms, and has been a key organiser of meetings between autistic advocates from LAVA and EUCAP and international autism researchers.
The European Council of Autistic People is the umbrella organisation of autistic-led organisations in Europe, with 25 member organisations in 17 countries as of now, including Autminds. Its aim is to promote the welfare of autistic people through participation in public discourse, by networking and engaging with decision-making bodies, and by supporting cooperation between autistic-led groups across borders. Concretely, we bring European autistic communities together through surveys, webinars and other activities.
We engage with autism researchers, politicians, disability advocates and decision-makers. We bring autistic voices to the EU, the UN and other international platforms. We reach out to global autistic-led organisations. We strive for a European autism policy that puts the participation of autistic people at the centre, and we work to empower autistic people to advocate for themselves. We have many projects, but little resources so far. We have ideas, experience, and gifted volunteers, but still it is not enough. But what we do matters.
Because for the future to be autistic it has to be on our own terms. And our voices are strongest when we come together to set the terms ourselves. EUCAP creates a space where autistic people can do just that. So use this space and this presentation of EUCAP’s work and future perspectives to let us know how we can support you, amplify your voice, and maybe prepare the way for a future of our own.