Since the United Nations General Assembly designated April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in 2007, the UN has worked to promote the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms for Autistic individuals, ensuring their equal participation in society. Over the years, they’ve made progress, thanks in no small part to Autistic advocates who have worked hard to highlight the real life experiences of Autistic individuals in global conversations (Source).
This year’s theme is “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”. They will explore the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that promote accessibility, equality, and innovation across multiple sectors. To watch this year’s broadcast register here.
While April 2nd is WAAD, April is celebrated as Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month. If you would like to celebrate this in person this April, contact your local autism society to find out what is happening in your area throughout the month.
In general, as a community we have begun to move from awareness to acceptance. Autism acceptance is about shifting from just being “aware” of autism to truly understanding and embracing the diversity of Autistic individuals. Acceptance helps break down stereotypes, reduce stigma, and gives people the confidence to be themselves (Source).
