Making Evanston more aware and inclusive
On August 10, Executive Director Carolyn Keel represented Rimland at an autism awareness discussion at Evanston’s Ebenezer AME Church. The purpose of the event was to provide a wide range of information on the autism community to members of the church as well as to the broader Evanston community. Carolyn presented information about Rimland’s history and our current programs. Not only is it helpful for Evanston residents to know what autism resources are available, but this kind of exchange is also an important opportunity for the city to be inclusive and to become more aware of its own diversity. Rimland has a longstanding partnership with the city of Evanston and events like these help bring us together. Thank you, Carolyn!
Survey says…
Autism Speaks recently released a survey to get feedback on their three-year strategic plan. We want to make the survey available to Rimland families so that your voice will be counted! Here is the link and blurb from their website:
We at Autism Speaks want your input as we develop our next three-year strategic plan for science. Please take this brief survey on the kinds of research you want us to emphasize. Your guidance is vital as we reassess how we meet the evolving needs of the autism community.
We look forward to sharing the survey results – as well as our new strategic plan – in the months ahead.
Sincerely,
Dr. Thomas Frazier
Chief Science Officer
April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day
Saturday, April 2, 2016 is the eighth annual World Autism Awareness Day. President Barack Obama has issued an official proclamation recognizing the day. Supporters will be wearing the color blue, and more than 11,000 major buildings, landmarks, and homes will participate in the global campaign by “lighting it up blue.” Even the Orlando Eye, one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world, will “light it up blue” this year.
Show your support for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and Autism Awareness Month during the entire month of April:
- Wear the color blue on Saturday, April 2.
- Shine a light on autism—light your home or business blue.
- Share the Rimland website: https://rimland.org/
- Turn your profile picture blue on Facebook and Twitter.
- Post a selfie/photo of yourself with an awareness sign.
- Share personal knowledge of autism with friends, family and acquaintances in conversations, email, and online.
- Write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper in support of Autism Awareness Month.
Toni Braxton Celebrates World Autism Day at the New York Stock Exchange in 2011 (with A.K. Abdul Momen)
Toni Braxton, a seven-time Grammy winner, star of the reality series “Braxton Family Values,” and the mother of an autistic son, helped to raise awareness about autism when she wrote about life with her son in her memoir “Unbreak My Heart.” The memoir was subsequently dramatized in a television movie produced by Lifetime in January 2016.