Improving quality of life for people with autism

Autism Europe Aisbl

Autism-Europe aisbl is an international association whose main objective is to advance the rights of persons with autism and their families and to help them improve their quality of life.

Autism-Europe plays a key role in raising public awareness, and in influencing the European decision-makers on all issues relating to autism, including the promotion of the rights of people with autism and other disabilities involving complex dependency needs.

World Autism Awareness Day

'Autism. More common than you think.' campaign

In 2013, Autism-Europe members are conducting a campaign to let Europe know that autism is more common than you think. Find out more and download campaign materials.

Activities and events in Europe

Once again, Autism-Europe members are organising a wide range of events and activities across Europe including bell-ringing ceremonies, art exhibitions, conferences and more - to mark World Autism Awareness Day. For the fourth year in a row, several worldwide cities will also join the 'Light It Up Blue' initiative by US organisation Autism Speaks, with landmark buildings around Europe and the globe lit up in blue for the night to raise awareness of autism.

About World Autism Awareness Day

On December 18, 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, tabled by the State of Qatar, which declares April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in perpetuity. Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned, Consort of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, supported the campaign for a World Autism Awareness Day through the current 62nd UN General Assembly Session, garnering consensus support from all United Nations Member States.

This UN resolution is one of only three official disease-specific United Nations Days and will bring the world's attention to autism, a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions. The World Autism Awareness Day resolution encourages all Member States to take measures to raise awareness about autism throughout society and to encourage early diagnosis and early intervention. It further expresses deep concern at the prevalence and high rate of autism in children in all regions of the world and the consequent developmental challenges.

On April 2, across Europe and around the world people raised awareness of autism. Well-known buildings were lit up in blue, bells rang in stock exchanges and many other events took place. Open the .pdf file to find out what happened accross Europe and worldwild and get ready for WAAD 2013! PDF (8.73 Mb)

World Autism Awareness Day 2010

Autism-Europe thanks to the cooperation of with Autism Speaks and NYSE Euronext highlighted the third annual World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), a day prior to WAAD, and Autism Awareness Month with the first-ever global bell ringing across NYSE Euronext markets in Europe and the United States. Read More