Autism Speaks undertook a series of events in New York City to commemorate World Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2009.
For more information about World Autism Awareness Day and listings of events from around the world, please visit www.worldautismawarenessday.org.
President Barack Obama issued a statement celebrating the day; messages from other world leaders can be found here.
Click here for media highlights of World Autism Awareness Day, including video, and here for a more complete list of media covarge.
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New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell For the second year, Autism Speaks volunteers and supporters opened World Autism Awareness Day by ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange. |
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Yoko Ono PROMISE At the United Nations, Yoko Ono unveiled PROMISE, a unique piece of art created especially for World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) and Autism Speaks. The mural consists of 67 pieces that will be broken apart and auctioned off individually. With each winning bid comes the promise that when the cure for autism is finally found, all pieces will be reassembled for a day. |
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United Nations Panel Discussion and Luncheon The State of Qatar, the original sponsor of the World Autism Awareness Day resolution, hosted a luncheon at the United Nations with the World Health Organization for UN Member States as well as guest speakers including Autism Speaks co-founders and chief science officer. |
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Central Park Autism Awareness Event Autism Speaks and the Ad Council hosted a unique awareness event at Central Park in New York, N.Y. to highlight the prevalence of autism and to mark World Autism Awareness Day. Reactions to the event were captured and will be used for a new public service announcement in Autism Speaks' awareness campaign. |
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"beyond.word"s by dre.dance World Autism Awareness Day concluded with the performance of "beyond words," a modern dance performance by dre.dance at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center in downtown Manhattan. Artistic Directors Andrew Palermo & Taye Diggs, joined Autism Speaks Executive Vice President Peter Bell and the dancer for a lively question and answer period following the performance. |
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Foreign Press Center Briefing On April 1, Autism Speaks co-founders Bob and Suzanne Wright held a briefing with members of the U.S. State Department's Foreign Press Center in New York City. Members of the press from England, China, Germany, India, Taiwan (a Province of China), Denmark and Russia gathered in New York City to hear updates on Autism Speaks' global research projects and awareness campaigns. |
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Lindt & Sprüngli Awareness Event To kick-off Autism Awareness Month and one day before World Autism Awareness Day, international chocolate company Lindt and Sprüngli, hosted a ceremony at New York City's Palace Hotel to honor "Lindt Unsung Heroes for Autism." |
