Latest news with #AdamHarris
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
'I can be around people and feel like I am alone': Autistic adults report feeling lonely and isolated
'I'm not sure what it would be like to have a really good friend. That makes me sad. That is just one of the frustrated comments from autistic adults in Ireland talking about loneliness as part of a new survey. This person said they were also sad about not having a circle of friends 'even though I'm really loved online". "I'm loved for what I do. I'm much better, I suppose, with things that are at a distance.' The survey of 321 adults, for charity AsIAm, found just over half feel lonely all or most of the time, with just 9% saying they are rarely lonely. Some 69% feel 'left out of society' with almost three-quarters saying they 'often had to mask or change who they were to be accepted'. Many reported a limited social life, with 18% not going out socially in six months, and 17% for 12 months. Overall, more than a third said a relative was the person they typically had the most social interaction with. The group is aged between 18 and over 55, with 40% living at home with their parents. Another 32% live in their own homes. Comments on work also reflected isolation, with one saying: 'I can be around people, especially in work, and feel like I am alone. I do not feel included." The challenge of making friends was often raised. 'There are unwritten expectations placed on friendships and often I rely on others making the first contact as I don't feel comfortable initiating,' one person said. Almost all described being autistic as 'a driving force' behind being lonely. Asked to describe a good friend, one person said: 'Someone with whom I feel close to, who respects me, and expresses their opinions and knowledge without being condescending.' One person described friendship as: 'They understand me or at least try to. I know they care and are doing their best and will be there when they can. I do the same for them.' However others spoke of negative effects loneliness can have. 'When I get lonely, really lonely, I become physically cold,' one person said. I turn up the radiators. I hide under the covers. And empty. And spiteful. And envious. I find myself so often resenting people I see in groups, and I hate how bitter I am about it. Many spoke of using up their energy to interact with friends or even family. 'The majority of the world is not autistic, so I am expected to mould myself (at considerable cost) to presenting as non-autistic in order to have any acceptance or inclusion,' one person explained. The charity's chief executive Adam Harris said: 'Loneliness is not simply about being alone — it stems from not feeling accepted or understood.' He warned the findings showed many autistic people felt excluded. This group 'often feel compelled to mask their true selves in order to navigate daily life", he said. He called on the Government to fully implement the Autism Innovation Strategy. This needs to be properly funded, he stressed, adding: 'We would call for Budget 2026 to reflect this need.' The charity also recommended practical changes to everyday life. These should include easier access to personal supports, transport, and inclusive public spaces. An estimated one in 65 people are autistic in Ireland, according to the National Council for Special Education.
The Irish Sun
03-08-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Autistic people face invisible obstacles in Ireland's workplaces – this must change & major new campaign is paving way
A NEW campaign encouraging employers to hire people with autism has been launched. National 2 A big part of the AsIAm campaign is the provision of resources and employer training Credit: Getty 2 The AsIAm campaign is lead by CEO Adam Harris, with footballer James McClean Credit: Brian McEvoy Around 85 per cent of autistic adults in Ireland are unemployed or underemployed. The charity hope to raise awareness to help foster environments where autistic individuals can thrive. A big part of the campaign is the provision of resources and employer training. AsIAm, lead by CEO Adam Harris, with footballer James McClean, offers an Writing in The Irish Sun on Sunday, Insurance Ireland CEO Moyagh Murdock explains the main aims behind the initative. READ MORE IN OPINION IRISH businesses and workforces are continuing to transform, with a greater focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. And yet a stark finding of up to 85 per cent of autistic people are unemployed or face underemployment in modern times. Too often autistic people face invisible obstacles to career development which are not easily identifiable. This restricts them from accessing jobs and flourishing in their careers. Most read in The Irish Sun But it is not just autistic people facing the consequences of such limited accessibility. Organisations across Ireland suffer limitations caused by these barriers, with many unaware of the impact. These companies are losing talent and the benefit of diverse perspectives from autistic people in the working environment. This can be changed through essential steps to remove such barriers. Insurance Ireland's Inclusion Taskforce and AsIAm, Ireland's autism charity, are paving the way forward to tackle these obstacles through the launch of the Autism Accessible Employer Charter. REMOVING BARRIERS Developed to support and guide Insurance Ireland member companies to assess and establish practices that promote an inclusive workplace environment for autistic people in Ireland, the charter is a joint initiative to make the insurance industry a better As barriers can significantly restrict business growth, the charter holds attraction, promotion and retention of talent at its core. It aims to increase employment opportunities for autistic people across Ireland, while simultaneously harnessing new experience and fostering different perspectives to mutually benefit the development of individuals and organisations. Supported by the Department of Social Protection, Insurance Ireland member companies that sign up to the Charter will join the AsIAm Employment Partnership Programme, develop an action plan for their business with the support of AsIAm and commit to autism-friendly recruitment practices and programmes. They will also benefit from the creation of a specific Autism Inclusive Employee Lifecycle programme, which is a holistic person-centred approach to the employee lifecycle from job advertisement, interview, onboarding and off-boarding/promotion. To ensure the initiative continues to evolve, charter members will also participate in annual data gathering initiatives with AsIAm. These will monitor and demonstrate progress, provide reflections on how the charter is improving accessibility and also offer benchmarks for further targets and evolution of the charter. Initial guideline targets for companies include enabling autistic people to enter and fully participate in the workplace and drive inclusive best practice principles across the business to eliminate accessibility barriers. ENHANCING DIVERSITY It also seeks to enhance understanding of autism across the organisation, combat the stigma around autism and recognise the diverse experiences of autistic employees. The creation of a positive workplace environment where autistic people can choose to self-advocate and colleagues can be visible allies for acceptance as well as ensuring equal career progression opportunities for autistic employees are key goals under the charter. Neurodiversity is among three key areas of focus for Insurance Ireland's Inclusion Taskforce this year, alongside disability and generational diversity, and the launch of the Autism Accessible Employer Charter. The charter marks a successful step forward in challenging employment barriers for autistic people across Ireland, with the insurance industry now primed to be a leading sector in creating an inclusive workforce that embraces autistic employees and values their experience. Globally, we are witnessing a retraction of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives from multinational firms, particularly overseas. However, it is critical this mindset does not infiltrate to modern-day Irish business. A range of supports are available for businesses to improve accessibility, including diversity, equality and inclusion training from the Department of Social Protection Work and Access, which can cover up to 90 per cent of costs of the AsIAm employer training. By empowering companies to create workplaces where autistic talent is both welcomed and valued, organisations can foster true inclusion and enhance diversity.
Irish Examiner
17-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Disability groups challenge Government to 'show me the money' in budget
Will this year's budget translate general election promises on disability services into cold hard cash? Disability groups have essentially said 'show me the money' to Government in a series of pre-budget submissions this week. Inclusion Ireland represents people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Its data shows social welfare supports do not match the needs of 66% of adults with an intellectual disability, so it wants core disability payments raised above the poverty threshold. One in four families said their child received no early intervention therapies. This needs investment in children's disability network teams (CDNTs), the submission recommended. CEO Derval McDonagh said: 'Our community is not looking for short-term fixes; we demand long-term thinking and ambition from our leaders.' Its survey of 1,000 people identified 'significant gaps' between people's lived experiences and what the State is obliged to provide under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Disability Federation of Ireland referred back to the programme for government promise of 'a step change in the supports and services required by people with disabilities". The federation's campaign call is 'deliver the step change'. It also argued for an increase in core social protection rates to reflect the true cost of living with a disability. The Disability Federation of Ireland said councils should be funded to make sure 7.5% of all new housing is suitable for wheelchair users. The CDNTs need at least 75 extra full-time therapists and staff, it said. It also called for more assessment of need funding. Councils should be funded to make sure 7.5% of all new housing is suitable for wheelchair users. The federation pointed out the voluntary charity sector delivers over 70% of disability services here. This needs sustainable, multi-annual funding it said. As I Am, Ireland's autism charity, focused on strategies and policies already in existence but in need of funding to roll-out fully. It called for resourcing of the Autism Innovation Strategy. It echoed calls for a weekly cost of disability payment, and also recommended a 10% increase in disability, carers, and domiciliary care allowances. CEO Adam Harris, brother to Tánaiste Simon Harris, said: 'Budget 2026 must confront the uncomfortable reality that our systems are failing autistic people, from year-long waits for services to social exclusion and financial strain." Norma Foley, minister for children, disability and equality and Hildegarde Naughton, junior minister for disability will soon be sitting in on heated budget discussions. They now have a shopping list prepared by people directly impacted by the reality of disability. Can they deliver the money is the question. Read More Letters to the Editor: System fails people with disabilities
Hospitality Net
26-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Cloudbeds publishes first-ever study on AI hotel recommendations as generative AI reshapes travel industry
June 26, 2025 - San Diego, CA - Cloudbeds, the AI-powered platform fueling hotel growth, has today released The Signals Behind Hotel AI Recommendations, the hospitality industry's first comprehensive study examining how generative AI platforms recommend hotels to travelers. The research comes as AI fundamentally transforms how guests discover and book accommodations. With travelers increasingly turning to AI assistants for personalized recommendations rather than traditional search methods, understanding these algorithms has become critical for hotel visibility and revenue generation. Adam Harris, CEO and Co-Founder of Cloudbeds, said: "The rules of travel discovery are being rewritten. Travelers no longer scroll through search results; they ask AI and get one answer. This report is the hospitality industry's first in-depth look at how those answers are made. At Cloudbeds, we're sharing these insights to help hoteliers lead in this new era of travel discovery." Conducted across six global destinations using hundreds of automated queries, the study analyzed 145 consistently top-ranked properties to uncover the key factors driving AI hotel recommendations. The study identifies five strategies for hotels to secure visibility: curating a strategic OTA portfolio, optimizing hotel websites for accuracy and comprehensive detail, prioritizing reputation management across review platforms, expanding digital footprint, and emphasizing unique brand storytelling. Key findings from the study: OTAs dominate AI sources: More than half (55.3%) of all sources cited were OTAs, with Tripadvisor, and Expedia leading citations. More than half (55.3%) of all sources cited were OTAs, with Tripadvisor, and Expedia leading citations. Branded properties have a clear advantage: 72.4% of AI-recommended hotels were branded or large groups, with these properties showing 4.43 percentage points higher visibility than independents. 72.4% of AI-recommended hotels were branded or large groups, with these properties showing 4.43 percentage points higher visibility than independents. Strong reputation is essential: All recommended properties maintained excellent guest ratings and high review volumes across major platforms, with an average sentiment score of 75 out of 100. All recommended properties maintained excellent guest ratings and high review volumes across major platforms, with an average sentiment score of 75 out of 100. Digital presence matters: 98% of recommended properties appeared on YouTube, 97% in travel blogs, and 95% on Reddit, indicating AI values broad online visibility. The study was conducted using AI monitoring tools across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini – platforms that collectively account for an estimated 98% of AI-driven website traffic. Researchers analyzed citation patterns, sentiment analysis, and digital footprints of consistently top-performing properties to identify the key factors influencing AI recommendations. The full The Signals Behind Hotel AI Recommendations report is available for free download at: About Cloudbeds Cloudbeds is hospitality's only intelligent growth engine — a unified platform trusted by the world's most ambitious hoteliers across 150 countries. Built to challenge the limits of outdated tech stacks, Cloudbeds connects operations, revenue, distribution, and guest experience in one powerful, intuitive system. At its core is Signals, hospitality's first AI foundation model, giving hoteliers the power to anticipate demand, run smarter operations, and craft more personal, profitable guest journeys at scale. Founded in 2012, Cloudbeds has earned top honors from Hotel Tech Report (Top PMS, Hotel Management System, and Channel Manager, 2021–2025), the World Travel Awards (World's Best Hotel PMS Solutions Provider, 2022), and Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 (2024). For more information, visit View source
Irish Independent
21-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Assessment of Need waiting list backlog ‘completely unacceptable', autism charity chief says
Adam Harris criticised the fact that only 7pc of referrals have been seen within the legal time limit of six months. 'The reality is that it's taking far too long,' he said. 'The Government is talking about waiting lists for an AON as if it's a charity act or a nice thing to do. There are clear domestic obligations in place that are being breached here. 'Ireland was also the last country in the EU to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the UNCRPD, which moves us away from the charity model. So it is also breaching that commitment.' Currently, there are over 15,000 children waiting for an AON, which is used to identify if a child has a disability and what services they need to access. The HSE expects the numbers on the waiting list to soar to nearly 25,000 by the end of the year as it grapples with chronic staff shortages in the disability sector. Mr Harris cited an 'urgent need' to get on top of the backlog, given the lack of key services for children with additional needs. The majority of parents have to fork out up to €1,000 to pay for a private assessment for their child, given the lengthy wait times. It needs to be done right across the education system He said Ireland has the right strategy and legislation, but is falling down in the area of implementation and investment. With regards to a mooted plan to move services like speech and language therapy (SLT) into the classroom setting, Mr Harris said he is 'very supportive' of that. ADVERTISEMENT 'Now that there has been a commitment to roll out a model in that regard, there is a real importance in how we do that. There is a clear benefit in not having to remove a child from a classroom and not being in a sterile setting,' he said. 'But where therapeutic supports are being delivered, it needs to be done right across the education system. 'So I don't just mean in special schools, but also mainstream schools or wherever is the most appropriate place for autistic kids to access them. We need to see a clear rollout on how that would happen and it should be done in a holistic sense.' Mr Harris was speaking as AsIAm and PTSB joined forces to launch the 2025 Autism Friendly Towns initiative. An idea first championed in Clonakilty in 2018, it has since been rolled out to 40 communities around Ireland with hopes of dozens more signing up to the initiative. 'Our ambition is that every community in Ireland would be an autism-friendly town,' Mr Harris said.
