World Autism Awareness Day: What Is It and How Can You Show Support?
April 2, 2014 marks Autism Speaks' seventh annual World Autism Awareness Day.
World Autism Awareness Day, also known as WAAD is the kick off to a series of awareness-raising events that will take place during and in celebration of Autism Awareness Month.
Today's events and activities include the popular 'Light It Up Blue' movement and Autism Kindness Acts (AKA).
The AS site states, "Each April 2, Autism Speaks celebrates Light It Up Blue along with the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day. Light It Up Blue is a unique global initiative that kicks-off Autism Awareness Month and helps raise awareness about autism. In honor of this historic day, many iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges and retail stores are among the hundreds of thousands of homes and communities that take part to Light It Up Blue."
Landmarks that have and continue to participate in 'Light It Up Blue' include the Empire State Building in New York, the Ada Bridge in Serbia, the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Torch in Qatar, and the St. Sava Temple in Serbia.
Last year, more than 8,400 landmarks took part in the special day. Earlier today President Barack Obama showed his support for Autism Awareness via Twitter.
"On World Autism Awareness Day, we offer our support and respect to all those on the autism spectrum," Obama tweeted.
For individuals who want to take part in the day, Autism Speaks encourages participants to share that act of kindness towards people with Autism on Twitter and on the Autism Speaks site.
"To share your events, photos and Autism Kindness Acts (#AKA) go to Autismspeaks.org/LIUB or click on the links on this page," says the site.
"And if you're on Twitter, use #LIUB to share your experience helping light the world up blue this April."
How will you be participating in World Autism Awareness Day? Share your Autism Kindness Acts with us below.
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