World Autism Day on 2 April

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MOSSEL BAY NEWS - World Autism Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 2 April, the start of a month of autism awareness and acceptance campaigns in the Mossel Bay area.

According to Diane Hobbs, director of the Education and Training Hub for Autism Needs (ETHAN), different autism acceptance campaigns will be held this year.

PHOTO GALLERY: World Autism Day on 2 April

"We have moved beyond our annual autism awareness parade and are making big strides towards creating autism acceptance in the Mossel Bay area."

"We had an open day at the Mossel Bay Library on 23 March. The library staff were amazing. They attended an autism training session on 1 March and were so inspired that they invited us to be part of Library Week and created an autism-friendly sensory corner to accommodate children on the autism spectrum."

Partnerships

"Working in partnership with the Mossel Bay Municipality and departments of Social Development and Education, we have launched a colouring-in competition at primary schools and crechés.

"This complements our drive towards teaching young children about autism and how to be a friend to someone who is different.

"We also run workshops for teachers on how to identify the signs and symptoms of autism, various practical tips on inclusion and autism acceptance and how to create autism- friendly spaces in the classroom."

Community outreach

ETHAN and partners will be running a community outreach programme from 17 to 22 April to mark Autism Acceptance Month.

The event will start at the Diaz Primary School hall on Monday, 17 April, at 10:00 with an acting piece on inclusion, to be performed by the Lunchbox Theatre, followed by items from the Nokuthule Centre, Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD), ZJ Hulpsentrum and Juweeltjies. Hobbs says: "It promises to be an awesome event. Please attend. All donations towards this event are welcome."

Various disability groups and members of the public are invited to a meeting of minds on 17 April.

This meeting aims to expand on the "I am Able" and "Spelling to Communicate" campaigns launched last year in September.

Disability groups

The needs of five key disability groups will be brainstormed in preparation for a presentation to the Mossel Bay Council and key stakeholders. The five disabilities are autism, visual impairment, auditory impairment, physical disability and mental disability.

Individuals with various disabilities will spearhead these working groups and highlight their challenges and the support and accommodations required to live full lives.

A representative from each group will then make their presentation to council members on 18 April. This encourages acceptance, empowerment and each group showcasing that "I am able."

With Zekwande Mathenjwa and the Zekwande Foundation, the week of 17 to 22 April will be filled with insights on the autistic experience, advocacy for non-speaking autistics and demonstrations of Spelling to Communicate as an alternative form of communication.

Centres that will be visited include: ETHAN offices in KwaNonqaba, ZJ Hulpsentrum, Lithalethu and Carpe Diem. The aim of this is to further autism acceptance and advocate for access to communication.

Pressing needs for autistics

As highlighted by the Autistic Strategies Network, a group of autistic and neurodiverse adults and their allies, the pressing needs for autistics are: access to communication, education, living and working opportunities and residential facilities.

Hobbs says: "April is an ideal month to go beyond awareness and work towards empowerment and acceptance. Please join us in our drive to make Mossel Bay the first autism- friendly and disability-friendly town in Africa."

For further information, contact Hobbs (ethan.autismproject@gmail.com).