World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) April 2011

Autism Society Canada proudly celebrates World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) alongside countless other autism organisations - both large and small - across Canada. Our organizations work tirelessly every day to provide a voice, promote awareness, and provide support to all individuals living with an ASD across Canada

"All autism stakeholder organizations agree that Canada must establish accurate surveillance and reporting on ASDs. This information will help us to determine the prevalence of autism to help develop policies needed regarding treatments and services for all Canadians living with an ASD," says Autism Society Canada President Michael Lewis.

On World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) let's join together in understanding the challenges facing individuals living with an ASD and celebrate the successes.  The time for Autism Awareness is now!

WAAD 2011 press release

 

La Société canadienne de l'autisme marque avec fierté la Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l'autisme le 2 avril 2010 
 
La Société canadienne de l'autisme marque avec fierté la Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l'autisme (JMSA) en même temps que de nombreux autres organismes s'occupant d'autisme - grands et petits - partout au Canada. Notre organisme travaille sans relâche à tous les jours comme porte-parole pour faire connaître l'autisme et donner un soutien à toutes les personnes qui ont un trouble envahissant du développement (TED) partout au Canada. 
  
Selon Michael Lewis, président de la Société canadienne de l'autisme : « Tous les organismes d'intervenants dans le domaine de l'autisme conviennent que le Canada doit établir un système exact de surveillance et de rapports sur le TED. Cette information nous aidera à déterminer la prévalence de l'autisme afin d'élaborer les politiques nécessaires au sujet des traitements et des services pour tous les Canadiens vivant avec un TED ».  

En cette Journée mondiale de sensibilisation à l'autisme (JMSA), travaillons ensemble pour comprendre les défis que doivent relever les personnes qui ont un TED et pour célébrer les réussites.C'est maintenant le moment de la sensibilisation à l'autisme!
 
Communiqué de Presse de la JMSA 2010

World Autism Awareness Day   -     Everywhere in Canada

World Autism Awareness Day
Monday, March 29, 2010

SENATORS' STATEMENTS
Hon. Jim Munson: Honourable senators, April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, a day recognized by 192 members of the United Nations. First, I invite you to join us tomorrow in the Commonwealth Room, room 238-S in Centre Block, and meet people working on behalf of autistic people, a group called the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance. By bringing these leaders together with parliamentarians, we want to raise awareness and create links between decision-makers and the people working hard every day on behalf of people with autism.

Later this week, I will move and speak on second reading of Bill S-211, an Act respecting World Autism Awareness Day. This bill has twice been given support by the Senate, in particular the warm support of Senator Keon and Senator Oliver, but has not become law yet because of two prorogations.

The bill includes in its preamble two short points. First, it states that Canada has no national strategy for autism and, second, it reminds us that Canada is a signatory of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

These elements of the bill are important to the stakeholders honourable senators will meet tomorrow. These elements are fundamental to improving the lives of people with autism in this country.

Without a national strategy, efforts to address this disorder will remain ad hoc and disparate. Without recognizing the rights of people with autism, we fail to show them respect.

As I have already said in this chamber, recognizing April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day will not cure autism. It will not guarantee treatments for the children who need them and who wait a long time for them. It will not provide financial assistance to the families who band together to pay for these treatments themselves.

However, by making Bill S-211 law, we express compassion, care and respect. We say to people with autism that we will take action and we want to include them. This action shows what Canadian values are. House of Commons