Event Information

Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization, is teaming up with Wubbzy - star of Nick Jr.'s whimsical animated preschool television series "Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!" - to promote World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) on April 2, a global effort to increase awareness of autism as a worldwide health crisis.

This online "virtual walk" is an extension of Autism Speaks' Walk Now for Autism, which takes place in more than 75 communities across the United States, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom. The Walk with Wubbzy on the Web site provides ideas about how people can celebrate World Autism Awareness Day in their local community, and also accepts donations to fund autism awareness and research efforts. Last year's Walk Now on the Web raised more than $40,000.

There are many ways to participate on World Autism Awareness Day this year.

Some ideas:

• Organize an event on World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2009. The event can be anything of significance to your country and culture. For instance, visit a school and read to children with autism; hold a press conference to announce a new autism initiative, program; or simply voice your support of WAAD publicly. We want to hear your ideas.
  
• Read a book about autism (you'll find some great suggestions here), then donate books about autism that you've finished to your local library.
  
• Submit photos of your loved ones who have autism to the "Stand Up for Autism" campaign website to celebrate the unique talents and skills of persons with autism. Go to www.autismspeaks.org.uk/waad to learn more.
  
• Encourage your local Mayor to make a World Autism Awareness Day Proclamation to reinforce April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day or the month of April as Autism Awareness Month.
  
• Get your school involved with these activities.
  
• Get local businesses involved with these ideas.
  
• Wear your Autism Speaks Puzzle Piece pin or your Autism Speaks World Autism Awareness Day 2009 T-Shirt which you can buy here.

For more ideas on how to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day in your community please visit: http://www.worldautismawarenessday.org