World Autism Awareness Day 2024; April 2nd.

FORUM: "Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic individuals share regional perspectives.“ World Autism Awareness Day 2024. The General Assembly resolution A/RES/62/139 of the year 2007 emphasizes the importance of raising public awareness of autism. Today, 17 years later, we have moved beyond raising awareness to promoting acceptance and appreciation of autistic people and their contributions to society. Join us for a timely discussion on ways to ensure equitable access to essential technologies for individuals on the autism spectrum. Follow the conversation with the hashtags:#EveryoneIncluded, #2April, #worldAutismAwarenessDay, #WAAD, #autismspectrum.

EVENTS: On April 2, 2024, the international community will gather to commemorate the World Autism Awareness Day 2024. To mark this important occasion, the State of Qatar and Autism Speaks will hold an event titled “Leave No One Behind: Autism, Emerging Technologies, and Equity.” This event reflects the commitment to harness the power of technological advancements in the field of autism in an inclusive and equitable manner. The disparity in access to innovative and transformative technologies is becoming more pronounced. The event aims to address these issues, integrating equity and inclusion. It seeks to discuss ways to ensure equitable access to essential technologies for individuals on the autism spectrum. Read the Agenda Programme

On Tuesday, April 2nd from 10:00 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT; The World Autism Awareness Day 2024 observance will for the first time seek to provide a truly global overview of the state of affairs in this regard from the perspective of autistic people themselves. Like last year, the event will feature an all-autistic lineup of panelists from all walks of life, representing six regions: Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin American and the Caribbean, North America and Oceania. The speakers will provide their thoughts on the state of affairs in their respective regions, as well as the importance of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for autistic people to be able to thrive. The event is organized by the United Nations Department of Global Communications, in close collaboration with the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION). ION is a neurominority-founded and led, volunteer-run inclusive global membership organization headquartered in Switzerland. With a presence currently in 23 countries globally, it is the world’s largest, most globally represented, and diverse neurodiversity initiative. Its purpose is to represent and empower neurominorities, fostering acceptance, appreciation, education, and advocating for equal opportunities and human rights. The event is co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Italy and Poland to the United Nations, with support provided by the Group for Autism, Insurance, Investment and Neurodiversity (GAIN). Read the Event speakers' bios.The event this year is organized by the UNDGC and the UNDESA, with support from civil society partners. Register to participate!

Live streaming on the channel

Tuesday, 2 April at 10:00 a.m. EDT - (Part 1) Autism Awareness Day - Africa & Asia: Moving from Surviving to Thriving.


Tuesday, 2 April at 11:05 a.m. EDT - (Part 2) Autism Awareness Day - Oceania & Europe: Moving from Surviving to Thriving.


Tuesday, 2 April at 11:45 a.m. EDT - (Part 3) Autism Awareness Day - The Americas: Moving from Surviving to Thriving.

WEBINAR: Immersive inclusivity: Enhancing virtual worlds with accessibility - ITU.

Enhancing virtual worlds with accessibility features holds great promise in making immersive digital experiences more inclusive. By incorporating accessibility features into virtual worlds environments, developers can ensure that individuals with diverse abilities can participate fully in virtual activities. For instance, customizable controls, haptic feedback, and voice commands can empower users with motor impairments, while text-to-speech and speech-to-text functionalities enhance communication for those with hearing or speech challenges. Moreover, platforms in virtual worlds can implement features like adjustable contrast, font sizes, and color schemes to cater to individuals with visual impairments. These innovations not only improve accessibility but also contribute to a more equitable and diverse digital landscape.

On April 2, 2024, the global community will come together to observe World Autism Awareness Day 2024. This occasion, significantly elevated by the commitment of SDG Resources, showcases the powerful intersection of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and autism advocacy. This Webinar will explore the link between accessibility and virtual worlds to pave the way for more inclusive and immersive virtual experiences for users of all abilities. Participation is open to the ITU Member States, Sector Members, Associates, ITU Academia, and to any individual from a country that is a member of the ITU and who wishes to contribute to the work. This includes individuals who are also members of international, regional and national organizations. Participation is free of charge.

LIVESTREAM -Watch the State of Qatar and Autism Speaks event titled "Leaving no one behind: autism, emerging technologies & equity."