World Autism Awareness Day (02/04/20)
In December of 2007, the United Nations General Assembly declared that April 2nd of every year will be officially known as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). This was due to the high rate of Autism across the world; combined with a large amount of misunderstanding of those with Autism. The aims of this day is to counteract the lack of understanding around Autism highlight the impact it can have on the individuals, their families and communities, and to encourage people to take action in raising awareness.
On this day, individuals with Autism, their families and those who work with them, are encouraged to raise awareness and organise inclusive events to create and maintain a higher level of understanding of the impacts that Autism can have.
To show support for those with Autism on WAAD, people are asked to “light it up blue”, which was started by Autism Speaks. Over the years, Irish buildings such as the National Concert Hall in Dublin and Kilkenny Castle in Kilkenny City, as well as widely recognised international monuments such as The Empire State Building in New York, USA and The Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia have shown their support in bringing awareness for those with Autism by illuminating the buildings in blue.
Individual people are encouraged to show their support by brandishing the colour blue. The support can be followed over mainstream social media under the hashtags #WorldAutismAwarenessDay and #LightItUpBlue.
For Further information on World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) and Autism, click on the following links below:
https://www.autismspeaks.org/
https://www.autismspeaks.org/light-it-blue
https://www.un.org/en/observances/autism-day/background
Alternatively, if you need further information or advice in relation to accessible and inclusive employment please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on (01) 415 12 85 or e-mail [email protected].
