All aboard! Autistic Pride Reading organiser Rachel Cotton, centre, and the Mayor of Reading, Cllr Sarah Hacker, take to the tracks at last year’s event
After a successful debut last year, Autistic Pride Reading is back, bigger and better, for 2016.
This year’s event is on Sunday, May 29, from 11am to 4pm. The venue is the same, the miniature railway at Prospect Park, in Bath Road, Tilehurst. As well as Reading Society of Model Engineers’ trains, there will be sensory play and sensory toys to make (for all ages), a bouncy castle, giant bubbles and magic shows.
Our friends from Autangel, ASD Family Help, Parenting Special Children and Stand Out For Autism will have stalls at event and are providing activities on the day. It is also hoped to show a number of films made by autistic people about their experiences and Autistic Pride in other countries.
Once again, there will not be any projected music at the event and a list of potential sensory issues will be available, with tips on how to avoid them. Quiet places for people to go and red stickers to indicate people don’t want to speak will be provided.
Autistic Pride Reading’s founder, Rachel Cotton, who is a trustee of Autism Berkshire, said she had received a number of requests for another Autistic Pride Day from people who had enjoyed last year’s event.
She added: “It’s too easy to lose sight of our skills and strengths as a community in the struggle for support. By organising Autistic Pride as a safe place for our community, we wish to reset the balance and provide a good day out for families, adults and anyone involved in the autistic community.”
Click here for more information about the event or email Rachel at gingerpig@gmail.com
Car parking is available at the miniature railway and Reading Buses’ routes 1, 2 and 26 stop nearby in Bath Road.
