PROPOSED BY: Councillor Jamie Green
SECONDED BY: Councillor Sarah Robinson
This Council notes that around 1-in-7 people in the UK are neurodivergent, meaning they experience the world more uniquely than others. Neurodivergence is associated with a range of conditions and traits including, but not limited to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Conditions, Dyslexia, Developmental Language Disorder, Dyspraxia, and Dyscalculia.
People with neurodivergent traits and conditions face a range of challenges across our society, including finding employment, increased likelihood of mental health diagnoses, and trouble accessing public services. However, neurodiversity brings many strengths and patterns of unique thinking that benefit our communities and workplaces.
This Council further notes the examples of how other local authorities are working to become more neurodiverse friendly. This includes Greater Manchester’s Autism Strategy and Leicester Council’s ‘‘Every Voice Counts’ initiative.
This Council believes that we must remove the barriers that prevent those with neurodivergent traits and conditions from participating in society and to work across our city to make Cardiff more neurodiversity friendly.
As such, this Council resolves to:
? Ask the Cabinet to produce a neurodiversity strategy that ensures our services identify and meet the needs of those with neurodiversity and to do this within the next 12 months. This should include looking to provide training on neurodiversity internally for employees and stakeholder partners, like school governors, as well as all those involved in providing public services to the people of Cardiff through the Council so they can identify and meet the needs of people with neurodiversity.
? Promote acceptance and understanding of neurodiversity across Cardiff. For example, through celebrating awareness-raising campaigns such as Neurodiversity Celebration week, World Autism Acceptance Week, ADHD Awareness Month and Dyspraxia Awareness Week.
? Investigate providing training to all Councillors on neurodiversity to aid in their casework in recognising the growing impact of neurodivergent conditions on the issues they deal with on behalf of constituents.
? Ensure neurodiversity is considered within the Council’s well-being goals and strategy to build a Stronger, Fairer, Greener Cardiffby the time the next corporate plan is published.
? To actively encourage those who are neurodivergent to participate in public life, such as running to be a Councillor and becoming a school governor.
? To review and implement reasonable adjustments for our elected members, to ensure the role of Councillor is accessible to people with neurodivergent traits and conditions and that the skills and talents of all people can be harnessed for the benefit of the citizens of Cardiff.