Autism Awareness Month in Northern Ireland received an unexpected boost with the selection 2008 of April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day (in perpetuity).
Events were held in local Councils and at Stormont where the newly formed All Party Assembly Group on Autism hosted Cuppa-Aid on the Hill to launch another year long campaign of raising funds through coffee mornings and events to raise much needed funds for the Autism legislative campaign and the work of Autism NI. A “Letter to the Editor” campaign reached regional weekly press.
The closing events of Autism Awareness Month were held on 29th & 30th of April as Wendy Lawson spoke to audiences in West Belfast and the Great Hall in Parliament Buildings. Read more...
April 2009
The “Stand up for Autism” Rally and Debate on Autism on 31st March 2009 marked the start of Autism Awareness Month. During the Rally, parents brought photographs of their family member with Autism for the “Face up to Autism” Wall of pictures which was an exhibition inside Parliament Buildings until 2nd April 2009 (United Nations Autism Awareness Day).
On 2nd April, Western Health and Social Care Trust hosted a “Stand up for Autism” event with local charities in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Branches and Support Groups hosted exhibitions “Autism Awareness” events at local shopping centres and hosted Cuppa Aid events to raise funds for the Political Lobby Campaign for Legislation for Autism.
Wendy Lawson accompanied Arlene Cassidy (CEO, Autism NI) to a series of meetings with MLA’s to profile the equality and human rights agenda for Autism.
The above events at Stormont were coordinated by Autism NI in association with the World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) coalition of UK Autism Societies coordinated by Autism Speaks. Autism NI contributed to the WAAD website.
