Across Ireland, cities, towns and villages are working to become communities where Autistic people and their families feel more understood, more supported and more included.

Through AsIAm's Autism Friendly Towns Programme, proudly supported by PTSB, communities are taking practical steps to create more welcoming and accessible environments. From local businesses and public services to schools, sports clubs and community groups, people are coming together to ensure that inclusion is woven into everyday life.

As part of a new video series led by PTSB Community ambassador Eric Roberts, we visited Dungarvan, Co. Waterford to see what this looks like in practice.

For one family featured in the video, inclusion was a key factor in their decision to move to Ireland.

Laura speaks about their son, who is Autistic. He attends school alongside other children his age and is an active part of the local community. Like any parent, they want him to have the same opportunities as his peers and the chance to participate fully in everyday life.

That idea of having the same chance sits at the heart of Dungarvan's Autism Friendly Town journey.

Across the town, businesses, organisations and volunteers are working together to create a more inclusive environment for Autistic people and their families. Small but meaningful changes are helping to ensure that everyone feels welcome, understood and supported.

One example highlighted during our visit is the use of sensory-friendly spaces at community events. Equipped with sensory toys, weighted blankets, beanbags and sensory activities, these spaces provide a calm environment where Autistic people can take a break if they feel overwhelmed or overstimulated.

For families, having access to supports like these can make a significant difference, creating opportunities to attend and enjoy events that may otherwise feel challenging.

The town has also embraced initiatives that celebrate awareness and inclusion, including community events such as the Same Chance Walk. Local organisations, including the PTSB branch in Dungarvan, have played an active role in supporting and promoting these activities, helping to bring the wider community together.

What stood out most during our visit wasn't any single initiative. It was the sense of welcome.

The Autism Friendly Towns Programme is about more than accessibility measures and awareness campaigns. It's about ensuring that Autistic people and their families feel that they belong in the communities where they live, work and learn.

In Dungarvan, that commitment can be felt across the town, from community events and local businesses to the people who continue to champion inclusion every day.

At PTSB, we're proud to support AsIAm's Autism Friendly Towns Programme and the communities leading the way in creating a more inclusive Ireland. As the first bank in Ireland to have Autism Friendly Branches, we're committed to helping make inclusion part of everyday life in communities nationwide.

Learn More

Find out more about PTSB's support of the Autism Friendly Towns Programme.

Join the Programme

Interested in helping to create a more inclusive community?

Visit AsIAm to learn more about joining the Autism Friendly Towns Programme and the steps your town can take to become Autism Friendly.