Navigating the Spectrum

A Comprehensive Advocacy Guide and Online Life Journey Map for Parents of Autistic Persons

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Project

Starting in September 2024, the Compass Project runs until August 2026. This two-year Erasmus+ initiative focuses on empowering families and advocates of autistic individuals by providing them with the tools and knowledge to navigate legal frameworks and access critical services.

With an estimated 7 million people on the autism spectrum in Europe, many families struggle to secure appropriate support due to a lack of accessible information. The Compass Project aims to address this by developing two main resources: an Advocacy Guide and an Online Life Journey Map, both designed to help parents and autistic adults understand their rights in areas such as education, healthcare, housing, and employment.

Compass’s key
open-source products:

Advocacy Guide

A user-friendly Advocacy Guide will offer clear, practical advice on how to navigate the legal system and advocate for autistic individuals’ rights.

Life Journey Map

An Online Life Journey Map, which will visually outline the key stages of an autistic person’s life and the services available at each stage.

An easy-read version of these tools will ensure accessibility for a wider audience. Dissemination of these resources across multiple languages, tailored to the legal contexts of Hungary, Latvia, Serbia, Romania and the European level.

Dissemination of these resources across multiple languages, tailored to the legal contexts of Hungary, Latvia, Serbia, Romania and the European level.

These resources will foster inclusion and active citizenship, equip parents and autistic adults with the skills and confidence to navigate complex systems and advocate for their needs and rights more effectively. Provide families with a clear understanding of the rights and entitlements of autistic individuals. The project will also build a European network of autism associations to share best practices and continue supporting advocacy efforts beyond the project’s lifespan.

Five partners are collaborating on Compass: Mars Autism Foundation (Hungary) – project coordinator, Autism-Europe (Belgium), Fondacija Hiljadu Zelja (Serbia), Latvijas Autisma Apvieniba (Latvia), and Asociatia Pedagogilor Sociali CHEIA (Romania).

Participants

Autism-Europe

Autism-Europe (AE) aisbl is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the rights, inclusion, and well-being of autistic people and their families.

Mars Foundation

Mars Autistákét Alapítvány is providing support for families with autistic members -children or adults.

Latvian Autism Association

Latvijas Autisma Apvienība’s primary objectives are to advocate for the rights and interests of autistic individuals and their families.

Thousand Wishes Foundation

Fondacija Hiljadu Zelja is established to pursue general-welfare goals, improve social and health protection, and improve the position of persons with autism and intellectual disability. 

KEY Association

Asociația Pedagogilor Sociali CHEIA is a non-governmental association aims to create a more inclusive, tolerant and peaceful society through education and personal development.