When Cheryl and Mick Gatto noticed there were some things missing from their grandson Dominic’s life, they decided to do what they could to fill those gaps.
They noticed that he didn’t have access to some of the fun, social activities that other kids enjoy, like swimming, rock climbing or even going to the park, that were not set up to cater to people with autism – people like Dominic.
"We had to stop going to parks, no parks at all, and was very difficult and emotionally upsetting for me and Dom," Cheryl told Link.
"His whole life, just by default, we were aware of the challenges and all the opportunities that are denied him, and it just kept growing."
An idea began to take shape. With previous experience in philanthropy, the doting grandparents founded Equal Access for Autism, a charity dedicated to providing access to safe recreational spaces and facilities for teenagers and young adults on the spectrum who are dependent on carers and family members.
They gathered friends who provided advice on how to set up, register and run a charity, and in 2022, created the not for profit tailored to Dominic's needs, and the needs of those like him.
Finding space
Equal Access for Autism is currently looking for an old warehouse or factory that it can refit to suit the sensory and social needs of teenagers and young adults on the spectrum. They plan to kit it out with play equipment like trampolines and climbing walls, with a focus on free play and safety. There will also be purpose-built therapy rooms and bathrooms, and hopefully a party room so attendees can celebrate their special events with friends.
"That’s primarily what our centres will be for those on the spectrum who need an advocate to enjoy themselves," Cheryl said.
"Mum and dad can come too, and we hope to have a café too. No one has to be embarrassed or ashamed or hide the fact that they have autism and can enjoy themselves."
The couple have already raised $2 million, and hope that this year will be the year that they can get the safe space up and running. Ideally, they would love to have a centre set up in every region in Melbourne. Cheryl hopes the first one can be a prototype to showcase what works for autistic people and their families and carers.
"I just want it to happen. That would be my dream come true this year" she said. They’ve already amassed support from all quarters; the charity's Instagram grid reads like a who’s who of Australian celebrity, with multiple household names pledging their support for the organisation and calling on their fans to support it, and not just with money, but with their voices too. "It’s about creating awareness. Our belief is that if we create enough awareness, then that will help us make a difference.” Each year in April, Autism Awareness Month, Equal Access for Autism holds a corporate fundraising event which
attracts donors and sponsors from further afield in Australian society. And, last year for the first time Equal Access for Autism created a fun run style event, called Laps for Love, for its
network of families to enjoy some time outside in a tailored, safe environment.
Held in a fenced football field, the event was designed with autism front of mind in more ways than one. It was secure, so that those with a history of absconding couldn’t get out and into danger. It also featured climbing walls and bubble blowing, a First Nations art activity, a sensory room, a sensory Santa, food trucks and more. The day was a firm hit, and Cheryl said the organisation will hold it in future. Around 800 people attended: parents, grandparents, and families. “They didn’t want to leave. Everyone said, 'this is so good, nobody has ever done this before'"
A family of changemakers
Through Equal Access for Autism, Cheryl and Mick are on a mission to raise greater awareness throughout society of what autism entails and how it can better catered to by authorities.
In particular, Cheryl wants to see greater consideration in public places for those with invisible disabilities. "There’ll be a ramp for someone in a wheelchair, and that’s good and they think about them when they make buildings, but they don’t think about autistic people" she said.
She believes amenities, especially those owned by a council or government, like local pools and sports ovals, could be doing more, whether by offering more sensory-friendly sessions, installing autism-friendly toilets, or by fencing off wide spaces.
"Autism is prevalent in our community, but people don’t see it,” she said. Because of the lack of appropriate spaces, many people with autism choose not to go out at all and are denied an existence in society.
She encourages other families of autistic people to "be comfortable talking up about what their needs are", so that they can be accommodated for in government and council budgets.
She said lived experience of disability makes a difference to the approach taken by Equal Access for Autism.
"It’s that lived experience, that investment of love and that makes the commitment to do what we’re doing." Cheryl and her husband invite others to talk about their own lived experience of autism, or share Dominic’s story, to continue the growth in awareness.
"When people say] what can we do, I’ll say, talk about autism! Please tell them you know a family who has an autistic child."
The charity is keeping the pair of changemakers going. “Sometimes we look at each other and say, thank God we’ve got this amazing purpose to our lives. I wish we could pass that on... to everybody... just an opportunity to get involved in something that’s close to your heart. We feel lucky that we have this and are able to do this for Dominic. It’s a privilege,” Cheryl said.
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