United Nations(UN)’s World Autism Awareness Day is annually observed across the globe on 2nd April to highlight the needs to improve the quality of the life of the people living with autism.
Note : There was no official theme referred in UN sites on World Autism Awareness Day. Autism Speaks, an organisation highlight and promote autism awareness, in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them with campaign #LightItUpBlue by wearing blue on April 2 2021.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/62/139 on 18th December 2007 and proclaimed the 2nd April of every year as the World Autism Awareness Day starting from 2008.
ii.The World Autism Awareness Day was first observed on 2nd April 2008.
Autism:
i.Autism is a neurological condition that manifests during early childhood irrespective of gender, race and socioeconomic status. Autism is generally referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD).
ii.Autism spectrum refers to the range of characteristics that impacts social interaction, behaviour and communication.
Events:
i.The UN Department of Global Communications and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the Specialisterne Foundation, has organised a virtual event as a part of the observance of World Autism Awareness Day.
ii.Inclusion in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities in a Post-Pandemic World is the virtual event to be organized by UN on April 8, 2021.
iii.The event addresses the issues faced by people with autism who have experienced the challenges and the opportunities in the employment market.
Inclusion in Workplace:
i.The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the inequalities across the globe.
ii.People with Autism also face inequalities and has worsened the discrimination in hiring practices and workplace environments.
iii.This results in the unemployment and underemployment of a large number of adults in the autism spectrum.
Efforts of UN:
i.The SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, promote productive employment and decent work for all including people with disabilities.
ii.The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognises,
- The right of persons with disabilities to work, on an equal basis with others
- The right to a work environment that is open, inclusive and accessible to persons with disabilities.
