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Leeds city council appoints champion for neurodivergent citizens
Local government pledges to improve accessibility and inclusion
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By Peter Clark (Senior Editor, Autism Info Center) Thursday 18th June 2026 |
A major city council has officially appointed its first ever neurodiversity champion to advocate for the rights and needs of neurodivergent residents.
The creation of this new civic role is part of a broader, city wide initiative to challenge misconceptions and create more equitable cultures across local government and public services.
The appointed councillor will work closely with local autism services and advocacy groups to ensure that the voices of people with autism, ADHD, and other neurological differences are heard in the policy making process.
The objective is to transform how neurodivergent people are perceived and supported, particularly in areas such as education, employment, and social care.
Local organisations are already supporting this momentum by publishing resources for employers on how to build neuro-inclusive workplaces and offering easy read guides for navigating civic duties like voting.
By establishing a dedicated champion, the council is moving beyond mere awareness campaigns towards actionable, structural change.
This commitment aims to dismantle the systemic barriers that neurodivergent people frequently encounter, ensuring that local services are fully accessible and that the diverse talents of all citizens are recognised and celebrated.
Source: Leeds Autism Services (UK)
https://www.leedsautism.org.uk/news/
Further reading, listening and viewing...
Have you seen our books about Autism and Neurodiversity?
Written by an autistic author, this book explains what autism is, what it isn't, and how to support autistic people with kindness and consideration. It aims to help the friends, family and carers of autistic people, as well the general public, educators, healthcare providers, employers, authorities, and anyone else who might interact with autistic people. It clearly and concisely shows them what autism can 'look like', how to recognise it, how to sensitively offer support, and how to advocate for greater awareness, acceptance and inclusion in society.
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