Why does this website even exist?

This website began out of events that seem like they happened in another world before the pandemic. Someone, specifically me the person writing this blog article, felt that they had been discriminated against by an organisation. And at the time this organisation was completely intransigent, totally unwilling to negotiate or discuss the situation.

And I turned basically everywhere I could think of for help and support. I knew laws covered this sort of thing and that I should have legal rights. But what I didn’t have was anyone to help me or any kind of expertise.

When I turn to the citizens advice bureau and they said they couldn’t help me.
I turned to the National Autism Society and they said they couldn’t help me.
I reached out to academics with experience in autism and discrimination and they said they couldn’t help me.
I spoke to the equality advisory support service and they said they couldn’t help me because the party I was in a dispute with refuse to negotiate.
I never formally applied for legal aid but I was more or less told everywhere I asked that I had no chance of getting it.

And eventually I found a peer support group that specialised in disability lawsuits. It was mostly composed of people with physical disabilities, helping each other with lawsuits about building access mostly.

I think I was part of this online group less than a day before they said they didn’t want me there anymore. Apparently according to them I was trying to use my autism as an excuse. A very common response from people who do not understand what autism is and do not understand the law on autism as a disability and discrimination. The whole point being there are some times when autism is a legitimate excuse.

Most people would probably have, quite sensibly many would say, called it a day and given up at that point. Instead I did a lot of research, I read law books I found fantastic resources on the Internet. Resources like Doug Paulie's D.A.R.T. guide and the stammering law website. I combed through masses of caselaw using BAILII.

So one day I went with a bundle of forms to my local county court, navigated my way through the metal detector through to the desk and filed my lawsuit.

So I thought there should be a resource for other people who come after me so they don’t have to relearn what I learnt. The support and information I looked for I wanted to preserve and make available for people in similar situations. As I said before I was aware of Doug Paulie's D.A.R.T. guide and wanted to do something similar but specifically targeted at people with autism as opposed to mobility issues.

From those humble beginnings it grew into what you see before you now.