World Autism Awareness Day: Inclusion in the Workplace
World Autism Awareness Day is an internationally recognized day on the 2nd of April every year. This day is especially recognized to raise awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders including autism and Asperger syndrome throughout the world. Autism spectrum disorder has no single known cause. Given the complexity of the disorder and the fact that symptoms and severity vary, there are probably many causes. Both genetics and the environment may play a role.
The theme for this year’s World Autism Awareness Day is “Inclusion in the Workplace” and the challenges and opportunities in a post-pandemic world. The pandemic has uncovered inequality faced by persons with autism which has further been exacerbated due to COVID-19. In relation to the theme this year, the aim is to promote full and productive employment and decent work for all, including persons with disabilities.
According to article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, it recognizes “the right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others,” and to a “work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.” It’s a problem made worse by long recognized discriminatory hiring practices and workplace environments that present major obstacles for persons with autism; all of which contribute to the unemployment or severe underemployment of a large majority of adults on the autism spectrum.
Ways of celebrating World Autism Awareness Day:
- Truly reflect to see how you can support people with autism in a way that changes lives.
- Sharing information online to spread awareness in your online communities.
- Support a local family whose child has autism.
- Getting involved in events run by autism communities.
- Listening to people you know who have autism about what it means to them.
- Engaging in discussions with your children so that they become aware and accepting of their similarities and differences.
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