Having my voice heard this World Autism Day, by Troy

2 April 2024

Inspired by work experience at his local council, #iwill Ambassador Troy (21)  passionately advocates for young people with autism and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Despite barriers, he emphasises the importance of inclusive spaces and meaningful representation in decision-making. Troy encourages fellow young people to join voice groups and share their experiences, while urging organisations to provide opportunities for young people with SEND. To honour World Autism Day 2024, Troy has shared his story with us.

A few years ago, I started my social action journey and I really didn’t know where it would take me as someone with a learning disability and autism, until I went to my SEND college and got offered to do some work experience at  my local council on respite services for young people, which made me so passionate about making a difference and got me to speak to young people that I didn’t talk to and listen to their voices.  I always thought “do SEND young people get a voice and get to express their views? Do youth voice groups in my local area and nationally too?”  Having a disability like autism can sometimes feel daunting, like you’re the only one living through it, but we are the same as others – yet we are different.   What I like about having my voice heard is I feel like I am able to speak about my views and opinions as it is so important for us young people with special educational needs and disabilities to be represented in many ways – especially speaking to Department for Education and other government departments.  The meetings I have with another organisation, with kids charity, help us to have a voice at that national level and gets other young people like me connecting with one another and becoming friends and sharing our lived experiences and the challenges we face. 

One of the barriers I had was that I was worried that no one would listen to what I have to say; they might think I’m not relevant and my voice didn’t count. Also, another barrier is us young people are still not getting our voices heard and a lot of spaces are not inclusive.  It’s an issue, but what makes us stand together is that we all have lived experiences and we know what need to change in our lives and community.  

The reason I advocate for young people is I want to see meaningful change for us young people with special educational needs and have professionals and decision-makers listen to us. I want us to have a say in the big decisions and have my voice heard and make the change today and not tomorrow and other days.  As young people with SEND, we are standing together and we will be noticed as we have a right to fit in.  

If you want to get involved in social action, I would say that if you are passionate about an issue, go for that and take part in youth voice groups at your local council. There is no such thing as a bad idea, or a daft question. Connect with other young people and share your lived experiences! Look around the internet and find a youth voice group in you local area or Nationally. If you don’t feel like speaking about something you are passionate about write it down as that can help too. You are not alone in wanting to have your voice heard, as many young people like you want that too. Together we will tackle the issues we want to and can hold professionals and government to account. 

For any organisations reading this, I hope you will give young people with SEND opportunities they would benefit from in to showcase their skills and develop as changemakers and activists. Listen to their ideas and needs and think about how we want to make a difference and be heard. Let young people with SEND attend events and speak to professionals, and create spaces for them on interview panels too. 

 Troy has been an #iwill Ambassador since 2023, and is part of a wider group of over 300 young changemakers that lead the #iwill Movement. Applications are currently closed for our 2024 cohort of #iwill Ambassadors, but there are other ways you can get involved. For more info, click the link below. 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

Keep up-to-date with the latest news and progress.