Today is World Autism Awareness Day
Author: Sylvia Borissova
Translator: Donika Boneva
Today, April 2, marks World Autism Awareness Day. The UN General Assembly announced the celebration of this day with a resolution adopted on 18 December 2007 to “emphasize the need to help improve the quality of life of people with autism so that they can lead full and meaningful lives. as an integral part of society”.
Theme for World Autism Awareness Day 2021
The United Nations has been celebrating World Autism Awareness Day every year since 2012. This year’s theme is Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic world.
According to the UN,
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and heightened glaring inequalities around the world, especially when it comes to income and wealth distribution, access to health care, protection under the law, and political inclusion. Persons with autism have long faced many of these inequalities, which have only been further exacerbated by the pandemic.
It’s a problem made worse by long recognized discriminatory hiring practices and workplace environments that present major obstacles for persons with autism; all of which contribute to the unemployment or severe underemployment of a large majority of adults on the autism spectrum.
What is autism?
According to the UN definition, autism is:
a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society.
Autism is a lifelong neurological condition that manifests during early childhood, irrespective of gender, race or socio-economic status. The term Autism Spectrum refers to a range of characteristics. Appropriate support, accommodation and acceptance of this neurological variation allow those on the Spectrum to enjoy equal opportunity, and full and effective participation in society.
One in 150 children worldwide is diagnosed with autism. The total number of people on the autism spectrum makes up about 2% of the world population. In Bulgaria, this is about 140,000 people.
World Autism Awareness Day in Bulgaria
In our country, 15 cities will take part in the initiatives on the occasion of April 2.
In Sofia, in front of the St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library there will be a concert in support of the fight against autism. It will be attended by the goodwill ambassadors of the campaign – the Danish Ambassador in Bulgaria, His Excellency Kaare Janson and the Mayor of Sofia Yordanka Fandakova, as well as a number of famous Bulgarian performers. The special guest of the event will be John Lawton, the vocalist of Uriah Heep.
At exactly 8 pm, the National Library building will be illuminated in blue as part of Autism Speaks*’ global Light It Up Blue campaign. (*Autism Speaks is the largest autism advocacy organization in the United States. It sponsors autism research and conducts awareness and dissemination activities aimed at families, governments, and the public.)
Amazing Things Happen
We remind you of a short film created by professionals with a lot of love and understanding, which seeks to raise awareness of autism among audiences who do not belong to the autism spectrum, to stimulate understanding and acceptance of this condition by future generations. The film is part of the Amazing Things project and was created to be watched, discussed and shared for free by everyone – but mostly by teachers, parents and peers of children with autism.