DESCRIPTION

April 2, 2011 is World Autism Awareness day. The United Nations and the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made a personal plea: Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
“World Autism Awareness Day is important to the United Nations and to me personally. My wife is one of many UN advocates for autism awareness. She and I both know that the tens of millions of people with autism deserve the utmost care, attention and respect. Autism does not discriminate, it can strike anyone in any country, but some people with autism do suffer terrible discrimination, abuse and isolation. We cannot tolerate any such violation of their human rights.”

Various shots, autistic man in prison–like conditions

RECENT, NEW YORK CITY

(English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
”Autism is a complex disorder, but with the right treatment early on, we can see improvement. That is why it is so important to raise awareness about the signs of autism and provide the services early in life. There are other ways society can help. We can support parents; we can create jobs for individuals with autism based on their skills and strength. We can improve public education to better meet the needs of students with autism.”


STORYLINE:

The United Nations celebrates its fourth annual World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) this Saturday, 2 April, with the aim of rising awareness about a disorder affecting millions of individuals around the world at their early developmental age.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a recorded statement said that autism “does not discriminate”, but some people with autism “do suffer terrible discrimination, abuse and isolation”.

He added that “any such violation of their human rights” cannot be tolerated.

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that manifests itself during the first three years of life. The rate of autism in all regions of the world is high and it has a tremendous impact on children, their families, communities and societies.

Ban stressed that "with the right treatment early on, we can see improvement.”

He pointed out the importance of raising awareness about the signs of autism and providing the needed services early in life.

The Secretary-General also noted that “there are other ways society can help”, including support for parents, jobs creation for individuals with autism “based on their skills and strength” and improving public education “to better meet the needs of students with autism.”


Throughout its history, the United Nations family has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities. In 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities entered into force, reaffirming the fundamental principle of universal human rights for all.

The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder so they can lead full and meaningful lives.