Recognizing World Autism Awareness Day
Apr 7, 2021Dear BC Community,
Today Bellevue College joins the United Nations in celebrating World Autism Awareness Day, a time to recognize and spread awareness for the rights of people with autism. It was first designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007 and has been observed worldwide ever since.
We also join our Neurodiversity Navigators program in calling this World Autism Acceptance Day. Because in addition to raising awareness, it’s important to recognize that those with autism or who are neurodivergent have so much to offer, and it is often we who need to change in order to better appreciate them.
Below are a few online organizations with resources to learn more about autism and neurodiversity, steps you can take to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, and some fun things you can do to celebrate our autistic students and colleagues virtually.
- United Nations World Autism Awareness Day
- Autistic Self Advocacy Network
- Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network tells us, ‘acceptance is an action.’ Together, we can work to change the dialogue about autism from fear, pity, and tragedy to support, acceptance, and empowerment.
Gary Locke Interim President