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Message on World Autism Awareness Day by UN Secretary-General
Society
2 April 2022
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 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.
On this World
Autism Awareness Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to an inclusive, equitable
and sustainable world for persons with autism.
