I am excited to share with you that we are busy planning and preparing for our 2022 World Autism Day celebration activities. In the coming weeks we’ll share how you can join us in celebrating the leadup to World Autism Day on Saturday, April 2, 2022, and throughout the month of April across the province.
Although we will not be distributing flags this year as the primary symbol of celebration representing World Autism Day, we are thrilled to share our new theme representing our World Autism Day events and activities: Celebrate the Spectrum.
Inclusion is a practice woven throughout Autism Ontario that we have long advocated for and must extend beyond autism towards intersecting communities of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and more.
We are committed to connecting with diverse communities, meeting them where they are, and critically reflecting on our own practices. As members of the compassionate and inclusive society we wish to create, we will continue to listen, learn, and make space for open dialogue and diverse perspectives. We believe that Celebrate the Spectrum reflects this commitment.
What is Celebrate the Spectrum?
Celebrate the Spectrum is our theme for World Autism Day 2022 celebrations. It is an opportunity for positive action to provide spaces of support and advocacy for our diverse communities while learning about autism and how we can all make our communities better and more inclusive places for people on the autism spectrum.
As in previous Autism Ontario World Autism Day campaigns, Celebrate the Spectrum campaign unites families, schools, communities, government, and professionals in recognizing World Autism Day through celebrating people on the autism spectrum while bringing to light the systemic barriers that must be removed to create a more supportive and inclusive Ontario.
We encourage our community to begin celebrating by entering the Design Your Flag Contest. For details on how to enter, please visit autismontario.com/programs-services/world-autism-day.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
Marg Spoelstra
Executive Director, Autism Ontario