Autism rights at stake as Spain backs new rules

Autistic people could find vital information, education, healthcare and public transport easier to use under Spain’s new cognitive accessibility rules. But Autismo España says the regulation must contain clear, enforceable duties if it is to protect their rights. Spain’s Council of Ministers approved the royal decree in Madrid on Tuesday, 1 September.

Cognitive accessibility means making places, services and information easier to understand and communicate with. The measure follows Law 6/2022, passed on 31 March, which brought cognitive accessibility into Spain’s basic legal framework for the rights of disabled people.

More than simpler words and symbols

Autismo España says barriers can arise when people struggle to understand messages, anticipate situations, interpret information or cope with complex surroundings. That can affect access to education and healthcare, public transport, administrative procedures and social participation.

The group warns that accessibility cannot be reduced to simpler text or pictograms. Symbols must not be used indiscriminately, it says, and the rules should also cover sensory accessibility, involve the Spanish Centre on Autism and use standardised methods backed by scientific evidence.

Call for rules people can enforce

What is easy to understand differs from one person to another, the confederation says. Age, abilities, social and cultural background, language skills, and cognitive and sensory characteristics all shape how information is received and processed.

Autismo España wants technically sound obligations that people can enforce, rather than broad statements of principle. It will now examine the final text to see whether its proposals were included and says it will continue pressing to remove barriers to full social participation.

Topics: Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com