Nearly 3,000 people were on hand for the Autism Action Partnership and Munroe-Meyer Institute’s World Autism Day celebration, which was held on April 2 at the Gene Leahy Mall at the Riverfront in Omaha.
Face-painting, puppet shows, games, food trucks and informational booths staffed by community partners were among the attractions for the event, which was held at the downtown mall for the first time.
“The impact of hosting this event in a public space and inviting the entire community to join us is so important. It’s not just an event for members of the autism community,’” said Justin Dougherty, executive director of Autism Action Partnership. “When it’s done in a way and a place that all can celebrate, it increases inclusion.”
Dougherty said that he’d like to bring the event back to the mall in coming years.
“People obviously are having a lot of fun.”
MMI Community Engagement Director Melonie Welsh attended the event to share information about MMI. Other MMI programs staffed and attended the event, including the MMI Department of Recreational Therapy, which helped attendees create tactile keychains and bracelets, the integrated Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the UCEDD’s transition and arts advocacy programs.
“This is always a joyful event,” Welsh said. “We work, as does AAP, to increase autism acceptance throughout the year, but this annual collaboration gives us a chance to take our message to the wider community in a way that is welcoming, fun and informative.”
Both Welsh and Dougherty spoke of the way AAP and MMI complement each other in their efforts to positively impact the autism community.
“This is an important partnership,” Dougherty said. “And this event is another example of how we leverage each other’s reach and impact.”