Extant returns to Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Extant, the UK’s leading professional performing arts company of blind and visually impaired artists, will return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer building on the success of its landmark 2025 programme. The company will present three ‘Enhance’ shows alongside a new showcase, in partnership with Underbelly as principal venue partner. Through this programme, Extant marks a significant step forward in embedding accessibility across the festival while raising the profile and visibility of visually impaired-led work. In its second year, the programme signals a sustained shift across the sector. Extant is driving change by championing accessibility not as an add-on, but as an integral part of creative practice. This momentum is reflected in rapid year-on-year growth: from an estimated 30–50 visually impaired-accessible shows in 2024, representing less than 1% of the Fringe, Extant’s first year of activity increased that proportion to around 2% in 2025, and projections indicate that as much as 10–12% of the programme for 2026 will now be accessible to visually impaired audiences. Thanks to this scheme, Underbelly and ZOO have committed to ensuring every show in their programme is 100% visually impaired accessible by including at least one accessible performance. On top of this, ‘Big Four’ venues Pleasance and Assembly, alongside The Space, have also pledged to significantly increase their provisions. Supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Enhance shows at Underbelly (17th August) will demonstrate Extant’s unique ‘Enhance post-production’ offer, featuring work from visually impaired artists and collaborators across theatre and comedy, acts will include Jellyfish by Blah Blah Productions directed by Lillith Freeman (And Then There Were None, Lyric Arts; Only Ugly Guys, Open Eye Theatre) and written by Jess Coppen-Gardner (What’s Wrong With Me?-The Musical, The Lion and Unicorn Theatre; Red Flag, Feature Film) and features performer Teddy Walker (Three Sisters and Them, theSpace) and Aarian Mehrabani’s (What’s the F**king Point, FlawBored; Hunting Alice Bell, Channel 4) debut stand-up show How’s Your Head. Immersive and tailored Touch Tours provide the principal access tool, including presentation of succinct programme notes which get to the essence of the show, and description of any relevant visual elements. New for 2026, Extant will host a one-off showcase at Underbelly (18th August) to celebrate the breadth of visually impaired-led performance, supported by funding from the Postcode Society Trust, raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The programme will feature some of the UK’s most exciting visually impaired artists working across stand-up, cabaret, dance, theatre and new writing, including Growing Nostalgia by Ebony Rose Dark (Out There, In Here, The Place; Perspective on Visibility: Outside Inside, Control Shift Network), VIP (Visually Impaired Papa) by Tom Skelton (Adventures of the Improvised Sherlock Holmes, Just the Big Room; Aaaand Now For Something Completely Improvised, Pleasance Dome) and work from Neil Skene (Breakneck!, Aberdeen Comedy Festival, Cabaret in the Dark, C ARTS), alongside All There Is To See by Shashank Sharma (The Bloody Wedding, TIA Theatre Company; A Winter Tale at Shimla, Agastaya Cine Dreams LLP), Half Lights Project by Holly Thomas (Half Light, The Place; CRUNCH!, Velcro Collective) and An Evening with Tito Bone by Amelia Cavallo (Into The Woods, Royal Exchange Manchester; Beauty and the Beast, Theatre Royal Stratford), serving as both a platform for artists and a focal point for wider engagement with accessibility at the Fringe. Alongside its performances, the company is working with the Fringe Society to deliver targeted workshops on low-cost access interventions. It will also share new guidance through venues and networks to help hundreds of artists embed accessibility into their practice. Extant will be working with partners Sight Scotland and Visually Impaired Creators Scotland to connect with local visually impaired communities and audiences. Artistic Director Extant, Dr. Maria Oshodi comments, Extant has always been a force driving industry change towards higher standards and access for visually impaired people. We’re delighted to continue disrupting the status quo at Edinburgh Fringe in 2026, by increasing the number of accessible shows tenfold over the past two years, providing bespoke training and ‘Enhanced’ access options, and not least in platforming the very best of visually impaired talent at our showcase event! Underbelly’s Head of Programming, Marina Dixon, adds We’re delighted to be working alongside Extant at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to make Underbelly’s programme more accessible for visually impaired audiences. Extant do vital work in this field, and this partnership marks an important step in strengthening how Underbelly supports both artists and audiences. https://extant.org.uk/
Sight Scotland Trains Polling Officers
Ahead of Scotland’s Parliament elections on 7 May, Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans partner with the Electoral Management Board for Scotland to deliver accessible voting training to all Returning Officers and more than 900 polling staff, ensuring visually impaired voters can cast their vote independently and in secret. Visually impaired voters face a range of barriers at polling stations, with a lack of staff training and confidence consistently highlighted as a major issue. Voters report that polling station staff do not always know how best to support blind and partially sighted people, leading to inconsistent use of accessible voting aids and uncertainty about the support available. This is compounded by physical barriers such as poor lighting, unclear signage and challenging layouts, as well as information about candidates and voting procedures not always being provided in accessible formats. Many visually impaired voters are also reluctant to ask for help if it risks compromising the secrecy or independence of their vote. Working in partnership with the Electoral Management Board for Scotland, Sight Scotland has helped develop a training video for polling station staff, setting out the support they are required to provide to visually impaired voters. Members of Sight Scotland’s Policy Group and rehabilitation team played a central role in shaping the content, ensuring it reflects both lived experience and professional expertise. Colette Walker, co-chair of Sight Scotland Policy Group, who is visually impaired and took part in the training video, comments: “As the election approaches in two weeks, Sight Scotland and the Electoral Commission are highlighting a major push to ensure every blind and partially sighted person can exercise their democratic right to a private, independent vote. “Every adult has a democratic right to cast their vote in privacy. By breaking down these long-standing barriers, we are ensuring that visually impaired voters in our communities finally have the same say as everyone else. We hope to see a record turnout of blind and partially sighted voters in two weeks’ time, casting their vote, having their say in politics.” Sight Scotland Policy Group member, Hussein Patwa, adds: “I was delighted to be involved in producing training videos that will be shown to polling station staff across Scotland before the parliamentary elections on 07 May. Featuring myself and other visually impaired people, they demonstrate, in real life, practical examples of the correct sighted guiding technique, how to assist with navigating around the polling station, providing clear explanations to aid with orientation and the procedure to be followed for those who wish the presiding officer to help mark the ballot paper on their behalf. “I am positive this will make a real difference to visually impaired people’s experience at polling stations, encourage those who haven’t done so before to try voting in person and increase confidence for both voters and polling staff alike.” Malcolm Burr, Convener of the Electoral Management Board and Returning Officer for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, comments: “Returning Officers and Electoral Registration Officers put in place a range of measures to support voters with visual impairment. We want everyone to be able to vote independently and in secret. We have large print ballot papers, magnifiers, additional lighting, tactile voting devices, audio versions of the ballot paper and can help the voter fill in the paper if necessary. “Members of the visually impaired community told us that a fundamental problem was staff at polling stations did not know how best to support blind and partially sighted voters. The video we have filmed with the help of Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans is being used by Returning Officers across Scotland to train their hundreds of polling staff showing how to greet, guide and offer suitable assistance. “Our polling staff are the public face of the election and the lessons in this video will help them as they prepare to welcome voters with visual impairment into the polling places on 7 May.” Watch the training video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frVyMRCI2E8 For more information visit sightscotland.org.uk
The Care & Occupational Therapy Show Returns
Exeter, UK – 23 June 2026 – The Care & Occupational Therapy Show, the South West’s largest and most established event dedicated to the care sector, is set to return for its 8th year on 23 June 2026 at Westpoint Arena, Exeter. Bringing together care professionals, occupational therapists, suppliers, and industry leaders from across the region and beyond, the event continues to serve as a vital platform for learning, networking, and innovation within the care community. Over the past seven years, The Care & Occupational Therapy Show has grown significantly, earning its reputation as the leading care-focused exhibition in the South West. The 2026 event promises to be its most comprehensive yet, featuring a diverse range of exhibitors showcasing the latest products, services, and solutions designed to improve care delivery and outcomes. Attendees can expect a full programme of expert-led seminars and workshops, offering valuable insights into current challenges, emerging trends, and best practices across the care and occupational therapy sectors. Topics will include workforce development, person-centred care, assistive technology, and regulatory updates. The event provides a unique opportunity for professionals to connect, share knowledge, and explore new approaches that enhance both care provision and patient wellbeing. Event Highlights Include: Extensive exhibition featuring leading care suppliers and service providers Educational seminar programme led by industry experts Networking opportunities with professionals from across the care sector Latest innovations in occupational therapy and assistive technologies With free attendance for care professionals, The Care & Occupational Therapy Show remains committed to supporting the sector by providing accessible, high-quality learning and development opportunities. Registration details and further information will be announced soon. Media Contact: Pearl Pearce-Smith Marketing Director pearl@rpmevents.co.uk About The Care & Occupational Therapy Show The Care & Occupational Therapy Show is the South West’s largest event dedicated to the care sector, bringing together professionals, organisations, and innovators to support excellence in care and occupational therapy practice. https://www.careexhibition.co.uk
Sense launches three-year transformation plan
The plan, ‘Transforming Sense, together (2026 – 2029), sets out how the organisation will strengthen its services, grow its influence and invest in its people and systems to support more disabled people to be in control, included and independent. Sense supports disabled people with complex needs across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Having celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, and with more than 5,000 employees and volunteers, the charity brings decades of experience delivering specialist, personalised support at every stage of life, and is a provider of care, education and community services across local areas and a leading force in disability campaigning. Sense’s previous strategy saw the charity grow its specialist support services across the UK, including opening a new hub in Belfast and expanding its hubs across England and Wales. The new plan reflects the charity’s ambition to strengthen its services, while driving wider societal change to benefit people beyond its care. Key focus areas include: ‘Transforming Sense, together (2026 – 2029)’ sets out how Sense will deliver the first three years of its strategy, and is the first business plan the charity has delivered under the leadership of chief executive James Watson-O’Neill, who took up his post in February 2025. The strategy was shaped by the voices of 3,000 people connected to Sense, through a series of workshops, listening groups, one-to-one consultations, surveys and research with people with lived experience. This includes the charity’s Experts by Experience and Sense User Reference Group – two groups that enable people living in Sense services to shape the charity’s work. Sense’s plan sets out a renewed focus on financially sustainability so that every pound goes where it matters most: towards breaking down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs and their families. As part of this, the difficult decision was made to close four operational programmes, including holidays, in January 2026. These services made a real difference to people’s lives over many years but with the cost of delivering high-quality support continuing to rise and fewer funding opportunities available, it was no longer financially possible for the charity to run them. Sense will continue to manage its operational income and expenditure closely. Other key components in the plan include the design and approval of a new fundraising strategy in year one, refocusing the charity’s retail function to grow reliable income, and building its commercial and procurement capability to secure better fees and sustainable growth. James Watson-O’Neill, chief executive of Sense, said: “For over 70 years, Sense has broken down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs and their families. We are incredibly proud of the life-changing support we provide but disabled people with complex needs told us clearly that too many barriers still shape their daily lives, and that they are exhausted having to fight for the basic support, understanding and opportunities they deserve. “Our plan is rooted in those voices and experiences. It is about taking everything Sense already does so well and building on it: using our frontline expertise to challenge systems, drive change and ensure disabled people with complex needs are centred in every decision we make. We want to do more than deliver outstanding services. We want to help build a world that works better for disabled people with complex needs in every part of life. “Our services already show what is possible through personalised, creative support that helps people live gloriously ordinary lives. Now we want to go further still, helping reshape what fantastic care and support can and should look like when disabled people’s ambitions, choices and futures are truly at the heart of everything we do. “By 2029, more disabled people will be working, leading and volunteering at Sense and playing a bigger role in shaping our future. Together with disabled people with complex needs, we are building a stronger and more influential organisation that helps create a world without limits. I’m so excited about what we’re doing at Sense – come and join us.” You can find out more about Sense’s new plan here: https://www.sense.org.uk/about-us/our-plan-2026-2029/
GLASGOW 2026 PARA-ATHLETES TRAINING CAMP FIRST
A training camp for para-athletes is coming to Scotland for the first time, ahead of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Announced on International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the camp highlights the power of sport to promote inclusion, opportunity and positive change across the Commonwealth. Para-athletes from across the Commonwealth will unite at University of West of Scotland’s Ayr campus and surrounding South Ayrshire Council’s sports facilities this summer for the global GAPS (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) programme, which supports athletes through regional camps and targeted funding initiatives. Running from 16-24 July – and concluding on the opening day of the Games – the camp at UWS and South Ayrshire Council’s premises will bring together around 35 para-athletes for elite training and competition preparation. The camp represents the culmination of a global programme supporting para-athletes and coaches across the Commonwealth in the lead-up to Glasgow 2026. UWS will host the pre-Games camp at its Ayr campus, with athletes and coaches staying in on-campus accommodation. Training sessions will take place at South Ayrshire Council’s Riverside Sports Arena, offering access to state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor sporting facilities. Commonwealth Sport, UWS and South Ayrshire Council will deliver a high-performance, inclusive environment designed to maximise athlete preparation ahead of the Games. The impact of the GAPS programme was demonstrated at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, where eight GAPS athletes won medals, highlighting the programme’s impact on the international stage. This included Nigeria’s Goodness Nwachukwu who secured gold in women’s Discus F42, setting a new world record in the process. Commonwealth Sport Chief Executive Katie Sadleir said: “This GAPS camp is a powerful moment in the journey to Glasgow 2026. Delivered in partnership with the University of the West of Scotland and South Ayrshire Council, it brings together talented para-athletes from across the Commonwealth at a crucial stage in their preparation, giving them the environment, support and belief to perform on the biggest stage. GAPS is about creating opportunity, breaking down barriers, strengthening pathways and ensuring that athletes, no matter where they come from, can fulfil their potential. We’re excited to see what this group can achieve in Glasgow.” Professor James Miller, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, said: “We’re immensely proud to be the first Scottish university working with Commonwealth Sport to deliver the GAPS programme at our Ayr campus. It’s a fantastic opportunity – not only to demonstrate our purpose as a placemaking, inclusive University – but also to showcase our pioneering interdisciplinary work through research, sport, and major cultural events. “We share clear values with Commonwealth Sport’s GAPS programme, both embodying inclusivity, widening participation and a commitment to addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Involvement in the GAPS camp is a great opportunity for the para-athletes, but also for our colleagues and students involved in the organisation and delivery of the camp. We are also looking forward to working with our partners at South Ayrshire Council to deliver an exciting and impactful programme of activity and training for the para-athletes on the lead up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.” Jane Bradley, South Ayrshire Council’s Director of Communities and Transformation, said: “We’re delighted to welcome athletes to the Riverside Sports Arena during the GAPS camp and be a part of the journey athletes undertake in preparation for the Games. It’s fantastic to be able to use our state-of-the-art facility to help offer opportunities for development, working alongside the University of the West of Scotland, as part of a strong ongoing partnership.” Professor Gayle McPherson, Associate Dean for Research and Innovation and former Director of the Centre for Culture, Sport and Events at UWS, was instrumental in bringing the GAPS programme to University of the West of Scotland and South Ayrshire. Discussing the opportunity, she said: “We are proud to be part of the Campus to Commonwealth Programme for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and show UWS’s support with the delivery of the GAPS programme. Alongside our research in parasport, this demonstrates our expertise to deliver both high-profile research and the space for GAPS athletes to get the best training experience before the Games.” Since 2018, more than 700 athletes and coaches have participated in GAPS camps. Through its network of training camps and partnerships, the programme is strengthening Para sport systems across the Commonwealth, supporting athletes and coaches from developing and emerging nations, expanding performance pathways and increasing diversity at major international events. The programme is supported by the Commonwealth Sport Foundation, whose funding helps remove barriers to participation and strengthen Para sport pathways across the Commonwealth. https://www.glasgow2026.com
National Autistic Society’s response
National Autistic Society’s response to the Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism: interim report. Mel Merritt, Interim Assistant Director of Policy, Research and Strategy at the National Autistic Society, said: “This report makes one thing unmistakably clear: autistic people’s needs are not being met in education, employment or healthcare. “We have been concerned from the outset that this review could fuel the increasingly polarised debate about autism. Unfortunately, we are now seeing exactly that. Too much attention is being placed on questioning people’s motivations for seeking a diagnosis, instead of recognising the very real distress that autistic people and their families experience – distress that is too often overlooked. “We want to shift the conversation towards solutions that genuinely address unmet needs. It is essential that autistic people are meaningfully consulted as part of this Review. The Government must then set out a clear plan – particularly through the Autism Strategy – to ensure people get the right help at the right time, rather than too little, too late.”
A music education revolution
Derby business founders are leading a music education revolution around the world with their multi award-winning patented instrument developed from an adapted wheelchair joystick. Established musicians Si Tew and Owain Wilson aim to give every student the joy of music with their groundbreaking CMPSR musical instrument and controller. Si, who runs Digit Music with Owain, originally created the revolutionary CMPSR and Swipe music app to support people with disabilities. Tapping into the muscle memory and familiarity of something they use daily, the aim was to create a musical device that could be played by people facing physical barriers to traditional instruments. Pairing with any music software as well as the company’s own musical app, the instrument has already won prestigious awards as well as wowing accessibility heads at Apple and Google. Now the Digit Music founders – whose pedigree includes working with Netflix, Universal Music, The Chemical Brothers, Gary Barlow and Radiohead to name a few – are using their instrument made for disability inclusion to pioneer a new ‘digital first’ approach to music teaching. They want every student to have a fulfilling music education as well as empowering teachers with no previous knowledge of the subject. Si said: “Something like 90 per cent of people learning an instrument give up after 16 weeks. “Through all the years of work we have done in special needs education, we realised we’d created a musical instrument that was easy for all children to use and accessible for teachers. “We felt that the next big challenge was to look at what is happening in primary mainstream education and what the problems were there which include a lack of musically trained teachers and a very traditional curriculum. “Actually, it seemed that the problems were the same. The kids were trying to use instruments they did not necessarily want to engage with, and teachers did not always have the confidence or expertise to be able to deliver a musical education.” The revolutionary CMPSR has already picked up a prestigious Tech4Good award from AbilityNet Microsoft along with a Global Inclusion Award presented by IFIP (International Forums of Inclusive Practitioners) and Google Education. Senior leaders at Apple, Google and Microsoft have been blown away by the ground-breaking devices, playing them alongside young people with disabilities at the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre in London. Now CMPSR, Swipe and the company’s Arrownotes notation system are being used by hundreds of schools and music services up and down the UK as well as overseas, helping thousands of children and teachers enjoy a brand new way of learning the subject. Digit Music aims to transform music education through the CMPSR’s clever design created using inclusive principles, ensuring as many people as possible can play the instrument. Si said: “We want to transform music learning by taking away the barriers that have been in place for so long. Instruments that are really tough to learn, an off-putting and complicated notation system, an outdated repertoire that is of limited interest to young people and a lack of teachers in schools who have any musical experience. “It all adds up to music being put on the back burner and quite a costly exercise for schools who buy in specialist services. We want to change all that and give every student the best experience with our tools that teach music using a digital first approach. The world is digital now and music education needs to catch up.” Owain added: “Traditional instruments 100 per cent have a place, but you shouldn’t have to fight through years of ‘bad sounds’ just to reach a point where you can enjoy creating and playing together. “Digital tools allow you to get into the ‘sweet spot’ much quicker. We aren’t here to replace the violin. We’re here to make music creation equitable and instant for everyone.” Si said: “What Instagram has done for photography and TikTok for video – we have done for music. You sound great from your first attempt and can explore the details later if you wish. If you want to understand the complexity, by all means dig in and discover what is happening under the hood. But let’s get the creativity and the joy to come first.”
Opera Beds to unveil two new accessible innovations at Naidex
Opera Beds, the UK’s leading specialists in beautifully designed adjustable and profiling beds, will unveil two brand-new products at this year’s Naidex, inviting attendees to test the designs and shape the final versions ahead of launch. Taking place on 25th-26th March at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, the milestone 50th edition of Naidex will see Opera Beds introduce a new Junior Adjustable Bed, aimed at petite and junior users, and a multi-way Omni Bedside Table. Both products have been designed and manufactured in-house to solve specific, real-world challenges within the assistive technology market – from creating a more appropriate and child-friendly solution for younger users to improving everyday usability and functionality at the bedside. The launch also marks a new era for Opera Beds, as the company unveils its refreshed identity and branding across its stand and marketing materials. Visitors will see firsthand how it combines premium aesthetics with human-centred innovation, shaped in collaboration with clinical consultants who deeply understand what people want and need. The Junior Adjustable Bed has been developed in response to years of requests from families and carers seeking a more age-appropriate adjustable bed solution. Andrew Whittle, Product Development Manager at Opera Beds, says: “The Junior Adjustable Bed has been created specifically for children and young people who need additional support, while still ensuring their bed looks and feels appropriate for their age. The junior market desperately needs a bed that’s functional, comfortable, and safe for young people without compromising on aesthetics. “For many families, the bed is a central part of daily care routines and can make a real difference to everyday life. Drawing on more than 20 years of product expertise and innovation, we’ve designed a bed that feels homely, rather than clinical, combining style and advanced technology.” The fully upholstered bed features Aquaclean technology, allowing spills and stains to be cleaned with just water. It’s suitable for young people with mobility-limiting or respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis and cerebral palsy, as well as for shorter-term needs, including injury or post-surgery recovery. Stylish, integrated safety side rails rise with the mattress as the bed adjusts, helping to protect children from falling while maintaining full functionality when the bed is profiled. A new wireless control system also makes it easy to adjust both the mattress and the elevation kit, enabling caregivers to assist children in and out of bed and change bedding without excessive bending. Opera Beds maintains close links with clinical experts to help shape future direction, aligned to real-life care needs. One partner is Barbara Franks, BSc (Hons), occupational therapist, whose expertise has recently supported the development of the website’s upcoming bed selector tool, designed to guide individuals to the most suitable product. Opera Beds will also introduce the Omni Bedside Table, an innovative, new solution to the common challenge of heavy, awkward overbed tables. Crafted from oak and designed to integrate with profiling care and adjustable beds, the table moves with the bed while remaining stable for everyday use. Andrew says, “After more than a year of development, we’ve landed on a versatile surface that can adjust in height and tilt to accommodate activities like eating, reading or using a laptop. It can also be folded away or removed completely, providing a far more practical alternative to traditional bedside tables.” He adds, “Naidex will serve as a live test-market environment, meaning visitors can interact with both products first-hand and shape future refinement. Both innovations have been developed with real-world needs in mind, while integrating intelligent features that support mobility and everyday living.” Visitors at Naidex will also be able to explore Opera Beds’ best-selling Profiling beds, Rotating Chair beds, Adjustable beds, and mattresses. Barbara Franks will also be present to advise attendees and give her expert guidance. Other advisors will also be available for personal consultations, either booked in advance or arranged on the day. Visitors to the stand will also be able to pick up the company’s newly launched brochure, giving them an in-depth look at Opera Beds’ latest innovations and product range. Opera Beds will begin taking pre-orders for both new products at Naidex, with the final products expected to be available in the summer. Visitors can register for free tickets via the official Naidex website or book a consultation slot with Opera Beds in advance to experience the innovations firsthand. For further information on the event, visit here: https://operabeds.com/pages/visit-naidex Naidex is the UK’s leading event focused on accessibility, disability and independent living. Naidex’s 2026 edition will see it introduce Naidex Junior, a dedicated space for children and young people with disabilities.
World Autism Acceptance Month with National Autistic Society
The National Autistic Society is inviting schools, workplaces and supporters across the UK to get involved in World Autism Acceptance Month (Thursday 2 April – Thursday 30 April 2026). As the biggest event in the charity’s calendar, the aim of the campaign is to raise awareness, celebrate autism acceptance and raise vital funds, with various exciting activities for people to take part in. This year’s key focus areas are education and employment, helping to create a society that works for autistic people. Autism is a lifelong neurodivergence and disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. More than one in 100 people are autistic, which equates to at least 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK. There are lots of different and creative ways to get involved and raise funds during World Autism Acceptance Month, including: Visit the World Autism Acceptance Month fundraising resources page for further inspiration and to download useful information and fundraising materials. The National Autistic Society is encouraging supporters to share their stories and celebrations over the month by tagging social media posts with: #WorldAutismAcceptanceMonth. There is also a press and social media guide available online, to make it even easier to spread the word. Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive at the National Autistic Society, said: “Raising awareness of the many challenges that autistic people face has never been more important. “Autistic people are forced to overcome numerous barriers in their daily lives, battling discrimination in areas that neurotypical people may take for granted, such as having access to a full range of education and employment opportunities. With your support, we can continue to improve understanding of autism and help autistic people to follow their ambitions in the face of such barriers. “We’d love to see as many people as possible getting involved this year with the fun and accessible events we’re holding, including our brand-new Spectrum Run 10k. We very much look forward to welcoming participants and celebrating everyone’s achievements throughout April.” Every penny raised during World Autism Acceptance Month goes towards the National Autistic Society’s aim to transform lives and change attitudes to help create a society that works for all autistic people. Find out more at www.autism.org.uk