Autism congress calls for action on inclusion

Marina Antonio
  • 29 Minutes Ago

Namibia has been challenged to move beyond promises of disability inclusion and take practical steps to improve opportunities for people with autism, particularly children and young people, following an international congress in Windhoek.

The three-day World Autism Organisation (WAO) Congress, held from 3 to 5 November under the theme Transform the Narrative, brought together teachers, learners, health professionals, researchers, policymakers, advocates, parents and representatives of the autism community to discuss awareness, inclusive education and support services.

The gathering provided a platform for sharing knowledge and strengthening international collaboration on the rights and inclusion of people on the autism spectrum.

Disability advocate and Autism Association of Namibia (AAN) office administrator Rochelle van Wyk said Namibia needed to move beyond promises and implement meaningful change. “Namibia needs to progress from merely speaking about inclusion to actually doing it,” she said.

She called for stronger implementation of the Affirmative Action Act, including clear employment targets for people with disabilities, reasonable accommodation and accessible workplaces.

According to the Namibia Statistics Agency’s 2023 Population and Housing Census Labour Force Report, only 12 508 of the country's 152 790 people with disabilities are employed, representing 8.9%.

The congress was officially opened by Vice-President Lucia Witbooi, who highlighted the need for inclusive policies, accessible healthcare, early intervention and coordinated support services. “For Namibia, disability inclusion is not simply a matter of social responsibility; it is a human rights obligation and a fundamental pillar of our development,” Witbooi said.

However, the absence of key government stakeholders, including representatives from the ministries responsible for education, health, gender equality and social welfare, raised questions about coordination and commitment to advancing autism and disability inclusion.

Special needs educator and congress delegate James Makuwa highlighted lessons from the Italian delegation, particularly its approach to accommodating children with autism in mainstream schools. “In Italy, they don’t have special schools, but children, even those with disabilities, are accommodated in the mainstream system; for me that is the true meaning of inclusivity,” Makuwa said.

The congress also marked a change in leadership, with Namibia’s Petra Dillmann handing over the WAO presidency to Italy’s Pierangelo Cappai.

The seventh WAO Congress is scheduled to take place in New Zealand from 25 to 29 November 2030.