Tuesday at dusk the Wake Forest Town Hall on South Brooks Street turned blue and will remain so throughout April, part of the Light It Up Blue campaign to raise awareness for Autism Awareness Day, Autism Awareness Month and the more than 70 million people worldwide with an autism spectrum disorder.
Sponsored by Autism Speaks, the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, the Light It Up Blue campaign helps increase understanding and acceptance of autism, celebrates and recognizes the unique talents and skills of people with autism and brings attention to the needs of people with autism. In honor of this important initiative, thousands of iconic landmarks, hotels, sporting venues, concert halls, museums, bridges, and retail stores around the world take part in LIUB to show their support of people with autism.
Throughout April, Wake Forest area residents can lend their additional support by getting involved in four key ways:
* Post a picture of yourself in front of Town Hall on social media and use the hashtags #LIUB #LightItUpBlue #TOWF.
* Illuminate: Change your white bulbs to blue. Light up your home, business, school, place of worship or website to show your support.
* Wear a blue T-shirt, scarf, tie, etc., and ask your friends, coworkers or classmates to do it too!
* Turn your Facebook or Twitter profile picture blue.
For more information on World Autism Month and Light It Up Blue, visit www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-month<http://www.autismspeaks.org/world-autism-month> or contact Special Needs Recreation Specialist Kelly Schurtz at 919-556-7093 or kschurtz@wakeforestnc.gov<mailto:kschurtz@wakeforestnc.gov>.
One Response
Carol,
Thank you for posting this and I appreciate the Town of Wake Forest working to promote Autism Awareness Month. Autism touches many families in our town, including mine. Awareness helps people understand there is a wide range of individuals impacted. Some have unique talents and can master the piano, some can work and many have no mobility issues. Others are non verbal, cannot care for themselves, need daily assistance, they lack safety awareness and they live in group homes. Light it up blue!
Grif