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April 1st, 2022
This April, we are celebrating World Autism Awareness Day and Autism Acceptance Month across the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). This month and every month, we recognize the importance of accepting and supporting those on the Autism Spectrum so they can reach their full potential in school and in life.
In 2007, the United Nations designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. The goal of this day is to increase autism awareness and acceptance around the world. In the WRDSB, we acknowledge this important day each year as we work to gain a better understanding of neurodiversity.
Each April, the WRDSB also celebrates Autism Acceptance Month. This month is an opportunity to do more than just spread awareness. It is also a time to promote acceptance, ignite change and celebrate achievements.
Our focus is to move beyond acceptance. We strive to provide support, belonging and success.
In the WRDSB, more than 14,000 students receive some form of Special Education support each year. Our Special Education professionals strive to help students reach their full potential. Every day they strive to create a culture of equity, respect, understanding, belonging and collaboration.
We don’t do this work alone – we work closely with our Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) to enhance our programs. The SEAC is made up of advocates from associations and organizations such as Autism Ontario.
To help us be a more inclusive workplace, the WRDSB is also seeking to establish a new staff Affinity Group for those who are Neurodivergent and Autistic. This Affinity Group would join others already created in the WRDSB, including ones for staff who identify as 2SLGBTQQIA+, African, Caribbean & Black (ACB), Asian, Indigenous, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh.
Quinn Plummer, a grade 8 student at Northlake Woods Public School and Disability Advocate, felt inspired to help promote acceptance and created a video message to share his personal thoughts on the Myths & Facts about Autism.
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