April is Autism Awareness Month, But Should It Be Autism Acceptance Month? (VA UCEDD/LEND)
May 3, 2016
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| Authors Story Flinn, son of VA LEND trainee Kate Flinn, teacher Beth Beckmann. Not pictured: author Reed Wolfgang. |
"Every year on April 2nd, the world celebrates World Autism Awareness Day. In 2008, spearheaded by the state of Qatar, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day "to highlight the need to help improve the quality of life of those with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives as an integral part of society. One of the most highly publicized parts of World Autism Awareness Day is the organization Autism Speaks' Light It Up Blue campaign. Blue lights shine on iconic buildings and monuments all over the world (the Empire State building in the USA, the Sphinx in Egypt, the Opera House in Australia, and Christ the Redeemer Statue in Brazil, just to name a few) to show their support of autism awareness. However, some people on the autism spectrum are not happy with World Autism Awareness Day or the Light it Up Blue Campaign."
