Heading into Autism Acceptance Day and Month this April, the Munroe-Meyer Institute and Autism Action Partnership developed a toolkit to help organizations and individuals mark the month and help spread awareness of the need for acceptance.
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The Davis Global Center at UNMC |
The toolkit, accessible on the MMI website, includes a Facebook frame, a Zoom background, and a PDF of suggestions on how to mark Autism Acceptance Day and promote autism acceptance throughout the month. In addition, Autism Action Partnership worked with corporate partner Lamar Advertising to create billboards that will showcase message of acceptance throughout the month.
“Many of our Omaha organizations and businesses, such as Woodmen of the World, the Henry Doorly Zoo and Physicians Mutual, joined iconic landmarks around the world and lit their buildings up blue on April 2 to mark the day, as well,” said Melonie Welsh, director of the MMI Department of Community Engagement. “Seeing our new MMI building lit up blue for the first time was an inspiring sight.”
Nikki Hackendahl, who created the toolkit incorporating resources from Welsh and AAP Executive Director Justin Dougherty, was pleased to see how many organizations are working to not only promote awareness but acceptance
— a shift in how the day has historically been celebrated.
Director’s column: Awareness is no longer enough
“Coming up with ideas on how to engage the community is something we met and discussed numerous times,” she said. “Not being able to gather is always a challenge, but our outreach efforts were innovative and have been successful, allowing partners to ‘customize’ their advocacy.”
Despite the limitations of the pandemic, MMI and AAP have continued to work closely to align messaging and leverage resources, Dougherty said.
“Last year, we had to change direction quickly; this year, we understand better how people are accessing information during this time,” he said. “We know how to bring autism acceptance themes to people in their homes and businesses, so the question was how to provide organizations and individuals the components to celebrate autism acceptance.
“The number of businesses and organizations that Light It Up Blue continues to grow, and our partners outdo themselves every year. And we’ve welcomed new partners and groups who are not only accepting, but willing to work to advance acceptance.”