The active cooperation between decision-making bodies and civil organisations has served to validate the principle of “nothing about us without us”, the ministry said.

An important formation in this partnership is the National Council on Disability Affairs, which provides a framework in which civil organisations and interest groups can make recommendations to decision makers, it added.

The intensive cooperation between the Human Resources Ministry and the National Autistic Association has resulted in the launch of a number of positive developments, such as the establishment of information centres and an infocommunication-based application for those with autism. April 2 was declared World Autism Awareness Day in 2007.