World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on 2 April every year, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the world. It was designated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution "62/139. World Autism Awareness Day", passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was proposed by the United Nations representative from Qatar, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, and supported by all member states.
This resolution was passed and adopted without a vote in the UN General Assembly, mainly as a supplement to previous UN initiatives to improve human rights.
World Autism Day is one of only four official health-specific UN Days. The day itself brings individual autism organizations together all around the world to aid in things like research, diagnoses, treatment, and overall acceptance for those affected by this developmental disorder.
Video World Autism Awareness Day
Components
The original resolution had four main components:
- the establishment of the second day of April as World Autism Awareness Day, beginning in 2008
- invitation to Member States and other relevant organizations to the UN or the international societal system, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector, to create initiatives to raise public awareness of autism
- encourages Member States to raise awareness of autism on all levels in society
- asks the UN Secretary-General to deliver this message to member states and all other UN organizations
Maps World Autism Awareness Day
Themes
For the past years each World Autism Awareness Day has focused on a specific theme determined by the UN.
- 2018: "Empowering women and girls with autism"
- 2017: "Toward Autonomy and Self-Determination"
- 2016: "Autism and the 2030 Agenda: Inclusion and Neurodiversity"
- 2015: "Employment: The Autism Advantage"
- 2014: "Opening Doors to Inclusive Education"
- 2013: "Celebrating the ability within the disability of autism"
- 2012: "Launch of Official UN "Awareness Raising" Stamp"
Notable initiatives
Onesie Wednesday
In 2014, WAAD coincided with Onesie Wednesday, a day created by the National Autistic Society to encourage people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to show their support for anyone on the autistic spectrum. By wearing a onesie or pyjamas, participants are saying, "it's all right to be different".
Outcomes
United States
In a 2015 Presidential Proclamation, President Obama highlighted some of the initiatives that the US government was taking to bring rights to those with autism and to bring awareness to the disorder. He highlighted things like The Affordable Care Act, which prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition such as autism. He also pointed out the recent Autism CARES Act of 2014, which provides higher level training for those who are serving citizens on the autism spectrum.
See also
- Awareness day
- Autism friendly
- Autism Sunday
- Autistic Pride Day
- Societal and cultural aspects of autism
- United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
0 Comments