On 24 April 2026, we gathered at The Woodquay Venue in Dublin for the final conference of the Houses4Autism Erasmus+ project. What we had hoped would be a fitting close to three years of work turned out to be something more: a genuinely moving day that reminded everyone in the room why this project matters, and why the work is far from finished.

The conference brought together our EU consortium partners, policymakers, researchers, educators, autistic adults, and their families for an afternoon of presentations, discussion, and — for many attendees — a first chance to experience our virtual reality (VR) independent living tool first-hand.

 

A Civic Welcome from the Lord Mayor

We were honoured that the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, formally opened the conference. His remarks set exactly the right tone for the afternoon.

“Independent living is not just about acquiring skills; it is about dignity, confidence, and having the freedom to shape your own life and belong fully within your community. This is innovation at its best: human-centred, purpose-driven, and inclusive by design.” — Cllr Ray McAdam, Lord Mayor of Dublin

 

The Lord Mayor also spoke about Dublin City Council’s recently launched three-year Autism Friendly City Strategy — a reminder that the themes at the heart of Houses4Autism are being taken seriously at the highest levels of civic leadership.

 

The Research: a Gap that Cannot be Ignored

Central to the afternoon were the research findings gathered across our partner countries over the course of the project. The data tells a story that is both striking and — when you sit with it — entirely familiar to anyone who has worked in this space.

 

55–82% of autistic adults hold third-level qualifications across partner countries		14–45% live independently — despite high levels of educational attainment
5% of autistic adults live alone; 65% continue to live with family		100% of respondents called for improved autism training for professionals

 

These numbers point to a systemic disconnect — one that our project has sought to address directly. Educational achievement, without the right practical support and skills development, is not enough to open the door to independent living for many autistic adults. This is precisely the gap that the Houses4Autism VR tool and curriculum were designed to help close.

Deputy Rory Hearne TD also addressed the conference, drawing on recent and concrete cases — including that of an autistic child in emergency accommodation — to connect our research findings to the urgent, human realities of housing and homelessness risk. His contribution was a powerful reminder that this is not an abstract policy debate.

 

Seeing VR in Action

The live showcase of our VR tool was one of the highlights of the afternoon. Watching attendees put on the headset and navigate a simulated home environment — practising everything from kitchen tasks to daily routines — brought the research findings to life in a way that no slide deck could. The response was enthusiastic, with many delegates noting how intuitive and purposeful the experience felt.

The tool, developed in partnership with our consortium, places autistic adults in calm, realistic home environments where they can develop skills at their own pace, without pressure or anxiety. This is the kind of practical, evidence-grounded intervention that our research consistently shows is needed.

 

Ministerial Support and a Tribute to Dirk

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, was unable to attend in person but contributed a warm written message shared with all attendees. She described Houses4Autism as providing a deeper understanding of the needs of young people and adults with autism, and as a welcome example of harnessing new technologies to make a meaningful difference for disabled people.

The Minister’s message also included a personal tribute to the late Dirk van der Merwe — a beloved colleague and supporter of INSIDE EU who is greatly missed by everyone in our team. His warmth, commitment, and belief in this work were woven throughout the day, and it felt right that the conference stood as a tribute to his legacy as much as a celebration of what we have achieved together.

 

What Comes Next

The conference may have marked the formal conclusion of the Houses4Autism Erasmus+ project, but it did not mark the end of the work. In the coming weeks, all of our project outputs — the VR tool, the educational curriculum, the handbook for adult educators, and the full research report — will be made freely available on the INSIDE EU website, in line with Erasmus+ open access requirements.

We are also expanding our delivery offer, with Department of Education-approved CPD summer courses for primary school teachers launching later this year, and continued development of multi-sector inclusion training grounded in the Houses4Autism evidence base.

Most importantly, we will continue to advocate for the autistic adults and families whose experiences shaped every aspect of this project. The gap between educational achievement and independent living is real, documented, and — with the right tools and political will — closeable. That is the work we intend to keep doing.