Autism Awareness Campaign - United Kingdom

AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK
1st October - 7th October 2007

The Autism Alliance UK are launching a major campaign on October 1st to raise awareness of autism and to encourage those responsible for local services to design appropriate services and demonstrate effective commissioning plans for those people with autism and their families who live in the communities for which they are responsible.

The Autism Awareness Campaign UK has released an 'Autism Action DVD for Autism Awareness Week calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to launch a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action on autism and Asperger's Syndrome.

Watch the Autism Action film directed by Ian McLeod on You Tube, click on the You Tube logo below to see the appeal to Prime Minister Gordon Brown:

Asian superstar Nimal Mendis has created history by being the first South Asian singer/songwriter ever to have written a song for autism titled 'Open Every Door. The cover version is by the brilliant musician Rozagy who was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome.

Nimal Mendis was inspired by the Autism Awareness Campaign. 'Open Every Door' is a moving song about a child with autism. Rozagy is raising funds for Professor Simon Baron Cohen's Autism Research Centre in Cambridge University

To download 'Open Every Door' the song for autism click on the photo above.

Prime Minister Tony Blair met with Ivan Corea and Lee Scott MP on 25th April 2007. Ivan Corea presented the Prime Minister with the Autism Report detailing concerns and recommendations. The Autism Awareness Campaign UK is calling for a national strategy on autism and a 10 year plan of action.

The children's commissioner for England has said it is shameful that the country is failing to provide adequately for children with autism.

Sir Al Aynsley-Green - who recently met families with autistic children - said it was "shocking and appalling".

Click on the photo above to view the BBC News 24 Report.

Peter Sissons of BBC News 24 interviewed Ivan Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign on the views of the Children's Commissioner Sir Al Aynsely Green.

Ivan Corea speaking to BBC News 24 called on Her Majesty's Government to introduce a raft of measures to support the 90,000 children with autism including launching a 10 year program to build specialist autism schools, to build autism units in primary and secondary schools; train teachers and classroom assistants on autism; introduce a qualification for young people with autism; introduce further education and higher education opportunities and establish a compact with employers and creat labour market opportunities for people with autism.

Inside the Autistic Mind

A wealth of new brain research--and poignant testimony from people who have autism--is lifting the veil on this mysterious condition.

Click on the TIME Magazine cover to read the article on Autism by CLAUDIA WALLIS

AUTISM AWARENESS CAMPAIGN HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR PRESTIGIOUS BEACON PRIZE 2004

Ivan and Charika Corea of the Autism Awareness Campaign UK have been highly commended after being nominated for the prestigious Beacon Prize 2004 for their philanthropic achievements. The Beacon Awards ( given by the Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust) were recently announced in London.

Beacon is a charitable initiative to raise the the profile of philanthropy in the UK, awarding the Beacon Prize to individuals whose giving, be it their time, their money, or their expertise, inspires others to do more.

Ivan and Charika Corea were nominated their contribution to raising awareness of autism spectrum disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome. Their efforts have been personally backed by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats. They initiated the largest ever movement for autism in the UK and launched 2002 as Autism Awareness Year supported by 800 UK organisations. The Judges applauded their work and they have received the Beacon Highly Commended Award Certificate for Leadership, second only to Sir Bob Geldof who was the winner in the Leadership category.

‘We were thrilled with the quality of the nominations received this year, reflecting the full depth and extent of charitable activity in the UK,’ commented Emily Stonor, Chief Executive of Beacon. ‘Being highly commended is thus remarkable. Ivan and Charika Corea’s nomination was judged alongside those for prize winners such as Sir Bob Geldof and Jamie Oliver.’

‘We are delighted to recognise Ivan and Charika Corea’s contribution to charity and we hope that their success story will be an inspiration to others,’ said the Chief Executive of Beacon.

Ivan Corea said: ‘We are delighted to receive this Beacon Award Highly Commended Certificate.We still need the twin paths of inclusion in mainstream schools and special schools; we need further education and higher education opportunities for people with autism; special qualifications recognised by employers for young people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome; labour market opportunities for all people with autism and a debate on autism and the elderly. There is still a great deal of suffering for parents, carers and autists and the Government must move autism up the political agenda in this new term and give parents, carers and autists real choice and real opportunity to enable them to rise above the barriers placed before them.’

Her Majesty's Government must state how they plan to improve public services for parents, carers and autists.