The city of Medina celebrates the world month of autism

MEDINA, Ohio – Mayor Dennis Hanwell recently issued a proclamation stating that April is World Autism Month, as well as the World Autism Awareness Day held in the city. April 2nd.

World Autism Awareness Day is a United Nations sanctioned party. Hanwell said in his proclamation that the city was honored to take part in the annual celebration of World Autism Month and World Autism Day.

Hanwell said the city had been invited to observe the day by a branch of Ohio, based at Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is a national non-profit organization that advocates, broadcasts awareness and supports people on the autism spectrum.

Leslie Bloom, head of field operations in North Ohio, said that Autism Speaks had contacted cities, schools and other organizations as part of its Light It Up campaign. Blue. The organization is asking people to wear blue clothes and decorate buildings or turn on blue lights for April 2nd.

"It's just a great way to start the discussion and get people to be more aware of autism, what our community is going through and the different things we're working on," Bloom said.

The Light It Up Blue campaign started in 2010. Since then, 170 countries have participated in the event. Bloom said there was a lot of awareness and understanding at the local level, but this is not the case anywhere in the world.

"There is a lot less understanding and awareness around the world," Bloom said. "So we are trying to build that with this national campaign."

Autism Speaks also provides many free resources to people with autism. The organization has a free phone line for people with autism, as well as for their parents, grandparents, teachers and anyone else with questions. The goal is to answer questions and provide individuals with specific resources for autism in their field. The organization also sends free information tool kits on request.

Hanwell said he hoped that the proclamation would help raise awareness of World Autism Day in Medina and that it could elicit some involvement from members of the community.