“Light it up blue” – World Autism Awareness Day

Autism Awareness Australia calls for nationwide support to mark World Autism Awareness Day

SYDNEY, Australia, 25 March 2014: Autism Awareness Australia is calling for all Australians to shine a bright blue light on autism this Wednesday 2 April for Light It Up Blue – a campaign which sees the Empire State Building, Trafalgar Square, the Pyramids and other iconic landmarks around the world lit up blue for World Autism Awareness Day.

With autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affecting one in every 100 Australians, there are few people who don’t have a friend or family member impacted by autism. In fact, autism is the most common developmental disorder in Australia, with more children diagnosed than childhood diabetes, cancer and AIDS combined.

Commenting on the campaign, Autism Awareness Australia CEO, Nicole Rogerson, said “Our World Autism Awareness Day ‘Light It Up Blue’ campaign is about more than just colour that has come to define it – it’s about recognising the very real and difficult challenges that face families affected by autism.

“With Light It Up Blue, we want to ignite a movement of people who will help us fight for better awareness, better support and better funding of autism in Australia. Autism affects every aspect of a child’s life and the family around them, so we urge people across Australia to join us in supporting this very real impact on our friends, families and communities.”

In May 2013, it was announced that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) would cover “most” people with autism. It has become clear, however, that funding is falling short of what is required, with families receiving approximately half of what they need to fund quality, intensive early intervention programs for their children with autism.

Nicole Rogerson adds “The NDIS is still a few years away from being rolled out nationally, and like the rest of Australia, we are waiting to see what the final funding package will ultimately look like. The problem is that while we wait, there are individuals that need support now, be it for early intervention, schooling and education support or in employment services. There are generations of Australians that are not receiving the funding and support they need to reach their best possible outcome.”

To help Autism Awareness Australia fight for better autism funding and support, join the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/AutismAwarenessAustralia or Twitter here: https://twitter.com/AutismAwareAus, wear blue on World Autism Awareness Day or buy a ticket for the Sydney event to see the new way Autism Awareness Australia will be lighting it up blue!:  https://www.lightitupblue.com.au