World Autism Awareness Day - April 2, 2020

Jodi LeBlanc
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March 31, 2020

The thirteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2020.

Joined by the international community, hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities around the world come together on April 2, Autism Awareness Day, to Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them.

Autism-friendly events and educational activities take place all month, aiming to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, foster worldwide support and inspire a kinder, more inclusive world. 

Join us for World Autism Awareness Month to help us spread kindness and autism awareness! 

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Kat Warner
Marketplace Partner
Marketplace Partners provide apps and integrations available on the Atlassian Marketplace that extend the power of Atlassian products.
March 31, 2020

For another perspective - Introducing #RedInstead and #OurGoldenMoment: Autistics are claiming the narrative on April 1 & 2, 2020

The autistic community has already established that as a counter to the #LightItUpBlue narrative pushed by Autism Speaks, they choose to use #RedInstead. Instead of the puzzle piece that was meant to indicate something was “missing,” we use the infinity symbol for ourselves.

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Jodi LeBlanc
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April 2, 2020

Thank you Kat, I learned so much, and had no idea until reading this article how offensive the light it up blue can be.  #RedInstead

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Leah Bartell April 2, 2020

Epic share @Kat Warner! Thank you!

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Kat Warner
Marketplace Partner
Marketplace Partners provide apps and integrations available on the Atlassian Marketplace that extend the power of Atlassian products.
March 31, 2020

10 things autistic people wish their neurotypical allies knew going into April: (source)

1. We really don’t want or need awareness. 

2. Most of us do not want a cure.  

3. We wish you’d see us outside of the medical disability model.  

4. We are extremely offended by puzzle pieces, “Light it up blue,” and Autism Speaks.  

5. We prefer identity-first language over person-first language.  

6. We are great at self-advocating, and we wish you’d learn about autism from autistic people.  

7. Autism doesn’t end at age 18.

8. Function labels are deeply offensive and inaccurate.  

9. Autistic adults are the “severe” kids you think we are nothing like. 

10. We can’t do it without neurotypical allies. 

So, let’s make April “Autism Acceptance Month” and shift the focus to autistic people as thinking, feeling, valuable human beings capable of speaking for themselves and their children.  By reading this article, written by an autistic person, you’re off to a great start as an ally. Sharing it would be an even better gesture of Solidarity, and remember to hashtag #theAspergian and #redinstead so we can see how far our allies have carried our voices.

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Jodi LeBlanc
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April 2, 2020

Wow @Kat Warner - thank you for sharing this article, so eye opening. I tweeted the article today and will aim to be a neurotypical ally, and will definitely promote Autism Acceptance month (vs awareness month, and won't be supporting the puzzle piece graphic or the blue). #redinstead

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Valerie Palmer April 2, 2020

Thank you for this!!  

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