Austism charity gets $2m funding

A TOWNSVILLE-BASED foundation helping kids with autism live their best lives will receive $2m as the Albanese Government looks at developing a National Autism Strategy.

The expansion of the AEIOU Foundation for Children with Autism in Townsville will receive $2m in the federal budget, to begin capital works and engage extra staff.

The NQ not-for-profit was initially promised the funding by the Coalition during the election earlier this year.

It will allow them to support an extra 12 kids in its Townsville centre and offer services for an additional 40 kids in surrounding remote locations.

It comes as new data shows about one in six Australians are living with a disability, but only about 53 per cent of those who are of working age are employed, compared with 84 per cent of those without a disability.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the federal government was now investing $2.5m over three years in building disability-inclusive practices into pre and postqualification education and training.

“By training key sectors to understand, the needs of people with disability, we are starting to shift our systems, address gaps and improve experiences for people with disability,” she said.

“It’s not always easy for parents in regional areas to access the support they need for their children living with a disability.

“This grant will improve support for parents and allow the AEIOU Foundation to continue to grow.

“These are the first step in the Albanese Government’s commitment to help people with autism.”

She said the federal government will also soon be announcing consultation to develop a National Autism Strategy — which they set aside $5.3m for in the recent budget. Funding as part of the grant for AEIOU is expected to be in place by June 2023.