The State of Qatar joined world countries in celebrations marking the World Autism Awareness Day, which falls on the second of April of each year. It was approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007.
The State of Qatar celebrates this occasion, under the slogan "Inclusive Quality Education for All", as an expression of its deep belief in the necessity of spreading awareness and education regarding autism patients, and emphasizing the importance of integrating and empowering them to become a positive addition in the comprehensive development process that the State of Qatar seeks and approved in Qatar National Vision 2030.
In a message on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed that the United Nations supports the rights of persons with autism to fully participate in society, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
In its pledge to leave no one behind, the 2030 Agenda represents a commitment to reducing inequality through social, economic and political inclusion for all people, including persons with disabilities. Yet many persons with autism still live in isolation, discriminated against and disconnected from their communities, in institutions or even in their own homes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of these inequalities through the loss or reduction of services at school, in homes and in the community. We need to ensure that the rights, perspectives and well-being of persons with disabilities, including those with autism, are an integral part of building forward better from the pandemic,the UN Secretary General said.
The solution lies in more community-based support systems for persons with autism. We must also establish inclusive education systems and training programmes that enable students with autism to access the educational path of their choice. And we must make technology solutions available for persons with autism to live independently in their communities. Active consultation with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations should be at the centre of these efforts, he added.
