Student Lauren Myers with Orla Kelly from Autism NI and Belfast Met’s Nuala Boyle.

Belfast Met was thrilled to recently be presented with an Autism Impact Award.

The award is in recognition of the standards upheld and improvements being made to ensure the college fully support students with autism.

Orla Kelly from Autism NI called into the Millfield Campus to present the plaque and meet some of the students who are living with autism.

Areas in which Belfast Met has made improvements in order to achieve the Autism Impact Award and become an ‘Autism friendly’ organisation:

• Approx 30 staff members received training in the fundamentals of Autism
• 3 staff members successfully completed an AQA accreditation and were subsequently appointed as ‘Autism Champions’ for the college’s main Campuses

Other improvements include teaching staff and the student population being educated advised on support strategies and working with outside agencies to deliver bespoke workshops for students with autism.

An App has also been produced which is designed to assist students (particularly those with Autism) to navigate their way around their campuses.

Signage, maps and all communications is also being reviewed and the JAM card has been rolled out.